Shloka 20
Śiva’s Battlefield Manifestation and Vyāsa’s Śatarudrīya Exposition (शिवप्रादुर्भावः शतरुद्रीयव्याख्यानम्)
हताश्वे तु रथे तिष्ठन् पुत्रस्तव विशाम्पते । मुमोच निशितान् बाणान् शैनेयस्य रथं प्रति
hatāśve tu rathe tiṣṭhan putras tava viśāmpate | mumoca niśitān bāṇān śaineyasya rathaṃ prati ||
हताश्वे तु रथे तिष्ठन् पुत्रस्तव विशाम्पते । मुमोच निशितान् बाणान् शैनेयस्य रथं प्रति ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness under adversity: even when the chariot’s horses are slain, the warrior continues to act. Ethically, it invites reflection on the object of one’s resolve—courage is admirable, but in the Mahābhārata it is repeatedly weighed against the righteousness (dharma) of the cause it serves.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son remains standing on a horse-less (disabled) chariot and shoots sharp arrows toward Śaineya’s chariot, continuing the combat despite a serious setback.