Shloka 6
Book 9 (Śalya-parva), Adhyāya 13 — Arjuna’s Arrow-storm and the Drauṇi Confrontation
नकुल: पज्चभिश्लैनं सहदेवश्व॒ पञ्चभि: । विद्ध्वा तं तु पुनस्तूर्ण ततो विव्याध सप्तभि:
nakulaḥ pañcabhiś cainaṃ sahadevaś ca pañcabhiḥ | viddhvā taṃ tu punas tūrṇaṃ tato vivyādha saptabhiḥ ||
सञ्जय उवाच—नकुलः पञ्चभिर्एनं सहदेवश्च पञ्चभिः। विद्ध्वा तं तु पुनस्तूर्णं ततो विव्याध सप्तभिः॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of steadfastness and coordinated effort in battle: once an opponent is engaged, the warriors act decisively and without hesitation. Ethically, it reflects the epic’s portrayal of duty-driven action within the harsh necessities of war, rather than personal cruelty.
Sañjaya describes a rapid exchange in the battlefield: Nakula and Sahadeva strike their opponent with volleys of arrows—first five each, then again swiftly, followed by seven more—intensifying pressure and demonstrating synchronized martial skill.