Shloka 22
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
तस्मिन् मोहमनुप्राप्ते शरजालं महत् तदा । सैन्धवा मुमुचुस्तूर्ण गतसत्त्वे महारथे,महारथी अर्जुन जब मोहग्रस्त एवं अचेत हो गये, उस समय भी सिंधुदेशीय योद्धा उनपर वेगपूर्वक महान् बाणसमूहकी वर्षा करते रहे
tasmin moham anuprāpte śarajālaṃ mahat tadā | saindhavā mumucuḥ tūrṇaṃ gata-sattve mahārathe ||
వైశంపాయనుడు పలికెను—మహారథి అర్జునుడు మోహంలో పడి చైతన్యబలం కోల్పోయినప్పుడు కూడా, సైంధవ యోధులు వేగంగా అతనిపై మహత్తరమైన బాణజాలాన్ని విడిచారు.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral strain of warfare: when delusion or weakness overtakes even a great hero, enemies may intensify their assault. It invites reflection on the limits of compassion in battle and the stark reality that advantage is often pursued regardless of an opponent’s momentary incapacity.
Arjuna, described as a mahāratha, becomes overcome by moha and loses his steadiness; at that moment the Saindhava warriors rapidly shower him with a great barrage of arrows (śarajāla), exploiting his impaired condition.