Shloka 14
Adhyāya 104 — Śikhaṇḍin-puraskāraḥ (Śikhaṇḍin as Vanguard) and Bhīṣma’s Counter-Advance
ततः शरसहस्रेण क्षिप्रकारी निशाचर: । अर्जुनस्य सुतं संख्ये पीडयामास भारत,भारत! तत्पश्चात् शीघ्रतापूर्वक सारे कार्य करनेवाले निशाचरने एक हजार बाण मारकर युद्धस्थलमें अर्जुनके पुत्रको पीड़ित कर दिया
tataḥ śarasahasreṇa kṣiprakārī niśācaraḥ | arjunasya sutaṃ saṅkhye pīḍayāmāsa bhārata ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Pagkaraan, ang mandirigmang gumagala sa gabi, na ubod ng bilis kumilos, ay sinalakay ang anak ni Arjuna sa kasagsagan ng labanan, at pinahirapan siya sa pamamagitan ng isang libong palaso. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito ang malupit na tindi ng digmaan, kung saan ang bilis at lakas ay ginagamit upang lamunin maging ang mararangal ang pinagmulan, sinusubok ang tibay at paninindigan sa gitna ng karahasang may bahid ng adharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, sheer speed and overwhelming force can be used to crush an opponent; ethically, it points to the harsh reality that martial prowess may be wielded without restraint, challenging the listener to reflect on the moral cost of conflict and the endurance demanded of warriors.
Sañjaya reports that a swift-acting niśācara (night-ranging, rākṣasa-like fighter) strikes Arjuna’s son with a thousand arrows on the battlefield, causing him severe distress and signaling an intensification of the combat.