Shloka 122
अध्याय १४८ — कर्णप्रभावः, धृष्टद्युम्नस्य विरथता, तथा घटोत्कच-आह्वानम्
Chapter 148: Karṇa’s Pressure, Dhṛṣṭadyumna Unhorsed, and the Summoning of Ghaṭotkaca
स तु गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्त: शर: श्येन इवाशुग: । छित्त्वा शिर: सिन्धुपतेरुत्पपात विहायसम्,गाण्डीव धनुषसे छूटा हुआ वह शीघ्रगामी बाण सिंधुराजका सिर काटकर बाजपक्षीके समान उसे आकाशमें ले उड़ा
sa tu gāṇḍīva-nirmuktaḥ śaraḥ śyena ivāśugaḥ | chittvā śiraḥ sindhupater utpapāta vihāyasam ||
स तु गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्तः शरः श्येन इवाशुगः । छित्त्वा शिरः सिन्धुपतेरुत्पपात विहायसम् ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the inexorable nature of action and consequence in the dharmic framework of war: once a decisive act is undertaken with full force and intent, its outcome becomes irreversible, reflecting both human agency (skill, resolve) and the larger moral-causal order governing the battlefield.
Sañjaya describes a swift arrow shot from Arjuna’s bow Gāṇḍīva. It cuts off the head of the Sindhu king (Jayadratha) and then rises into the sky carrying it away, likened to a hawk’s rapid flight.