Shloka 22
Śiva’s Battlefield Manifestation and Vyāsa’s Śatarudrīya Exposition (शिवप्रादुर्भावः शतरुद्रीयव्याख्यानम्)
अथापरेण भल्लेन मुष्टिदेशे महद् धनु: । चिच्छेद तरसा युद्धे तव पुत्रस्य माधव:,तत्पश्चात् उन मधुवंशी वीरने एक-दूसरे भल्लसे युद्धभूमिमें आपके पुत्रके विशाल धनुषको मुट्ठी पकड़नेकी जगहसे वेगपूर्वक काट दिया
athāpareṇa bhallena muṣṭideśe mahad dhanuḥ | ciccheda tarasā yuddhe tava putrasya mādhavaḥ ||
अथापरेण भल्लेन मुष्टिदेशे महद् धनुः । चिच्छेद तरसा युद्धे तव पुत्रस्य माधवः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of martial power: even a formidable weapon can be rendered useless instantly by superior timing and precision. Ethically, it points to the reality that in dharma-yuddha, outcomes often hinge on skillful means (upāya) and decisive action rather than mere strength.
In the ongoing battle, Mādhava (Kṛṣṇa) uses another sharp bhalla-arrow to cut the great bow of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son at the grip, effectively disabling his immediate capacity to fight with that weapon.