Shloka 22
Bhīṣma’s Stuti of Keśava and Counsel on Nara–Nārāyaṇa (भीष्म-स्तवः; नरनारायण-प्रसङ्गः)
तथैव शक्रप्रतिमप्रभाव- मिन्द्रात्मजं द्रोणमुखा विसख॒ु: । कृपश्च शल्यश्न विविंशतिश्न दुर्योधन: सौमदत्तिश्ष॒ राजन्
tathaiva śakra-pratima-prabhāvam indrātmajaṁ droṇa-mukhā viśakruḥ | kṛpaś ca śalyaś ca viviṁśatiś ca duryodhanaḥ saumadattiś ca rājan || so 'tividdho maheṣvāsaḥ sṛkkīṇī parisaṁlihan | bhallena bhṛśa-tīkṣṇena nicakartāsya kārmukam ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Gayon din, O Hari, sinalakay nina Drona at ng iba pa si Arjuna, anak ni Indra, na ang lakas ay tulad ni Śakra—kasama sina Kṛpa, Śalya, Viviṁśati, Duryodhana, at Saumadatti (Bhūriśravas). Pagkaraan, si Dhṛṣṭadyumna, bagaman sugatan nang mabigat, ay dinilaan ang mga sulok ng kanyang bibig sa mabangis na paninindigan, at sa pamamagitan ng isang bhalla na palasong matalim na parang labaha, pinutol niya ang busog ng anak ni Śalya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh ethic of kṣatriya warfare: endurance under injury, unwavering resolve, and tactical response. It also implicitly points to the tragic symmetry of the Kurukṣetra war—great heroes on both sides repeatedly answer violence with greater skill, showing how dharma in war can still be entangled with destructive consequences.
Sañjaya reports that a group led by Droṇa attacks Arjuna. In the same battle sequence, Dhṛṣṭadyumna—despite being badly wounded—retaliates by using a sharp bhalla arrow to cut the bow of Śalya’s son, disabling him momentarily by removing his primary weapon.