Mahabharata 7.117.39 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 117, Shloka 39
Bhūriśravas–Sātyaki Saṃvāda and Duel; Arjuna’s Intervention (भूरिश्रवाः–सात्यकि संवादः, युद्धम्, अर्जुन-हस्तक्षेपः)
अविध्यन्मागधो वीर: पज्चभिरनर्निशितै: शरै: | भारत! धनुष काटनेके पश्चात् सात्यकिको उस मागध वीरने हँसते हुए ही पाँच तीखे बाणोंद्वारा घायल कर दिया ।। ३८ $ ।। स विद्धो बहुभिर्बाणैर्जलसंधेन वीर्यवान्
avidhyan māgadho vīraḥ pañcabhir anṛṇiśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | bhārata! dhanuṣ kāṭaneke paścāt sātyakiko us māgadha vīrane haँsate hue hī pāँc tīkhē bāṇoṃdvārā ghāyal kara diyā || 38 || sa viddho bahubhir bāṇair jalasaṃdhena vīryavān
சஞ்சயன் கூறினான்—மகத வீரன் ஐந்து மிகக் கூர்மையான அம்புகளால் தாக்கினான். ஓ பாரதா! சாத்தியகியின் வில்லை வெட்டி, அந்த மகத நாயகன் சிரித்தபடியே ஐந்து தீக்கூரிய அம்புகளால் அவனை காயப்படுத்தினான். பின்னர் வல்லமைமிக்க ஜலசந்தன் பல அம்புகளால் குத்தப்பட்டும் போரைக் கைவிடவில்லை.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-ethic of steadfastness under pressure: even after a decisive tactical move (cutting the opponent’s bow), the combatant maintains composure and confidence (symbolized by smiling) while continuing disciplined action. It also reflects Sañjaya’s role as a truthful reporter, framing battlefield events without moralizing, leaving the ethical weight to the broader dharma discourse of the epic.
In the Drona Parva battle sequence, a Magadhan hero first strikes with five sharp arrows; after cutting Sātyaki’s bow, he again wounds Sātyaki with five arrows while smiling. The next line transitions to Jalasaṃdha, described as mighty yet pierced by many arrows, indicating the ongoing exchange of missile warfare.
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