Shloka 3
Duryodhana’s Anxiety, Bhīṣma’s Reassurance, and Renewed Mobilization (दुर्योधनचिन्ता–भीष्मप्रत्याश्वासन–सेनानिर्गमनम्)
द्रौणिरगाण्डीवधन्चानं भीमधन्वा महारथ: । अविध्यदिषुभि: षड्भिद्दृढहस्त: स्तनान्तरे,भयंकर धनुष धारण करनेवाले महारथी अश्वत्थामाने अपने हाथकी दृढ़ताका परिचय देते हुए गाण्डीवधारी अर्जुनकी छातीमें छः बाणोंसे प्रहार किया
sañjaya uvāca | drauṇir agāṇḍīvadhanañ ca bhīmadhanvā mahārathaḥ | avidhyad iṣubhiḥ ṣaḍbhir dṛḍhahastaḥ stanāntare ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Si Ashvatthama, dakilang mandirigmang nakasakay sa karwahe, anak ni Drona—nakapanghihilakbot sa galing sa busog—ay nagpakita ng tibay ng kanyang kamay nang tamaan niya si Arjuna, tagapagdala ng Gāṇḍīva, sa dibdib ng anim na palaso. Itinatampok ng taludtod ang walang-tigil na pag-igting ng husay at pagtitiis sa labanan, kung saan ang kagitingan ay nasusukat sa kontroladong lakas kahit sa gitna ng dilim na moral ng digmaang magkakamag-anak.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the Kurukṣetra war, excellence and steadiness (dṛḍhahastatā) are displayed through disciplined action; yet the very need to prove prowess by wounding kin reminds the listener of the tragic ethical tension of kṣatriya-duty within a destructive conflict.
Sañjaya reports a specific exchange in battle: Aśvatthāman, renowned as Droṇa’s son and a great warrior, shoots six arrows at Arjuna (the wielder of the Gāṇḍīva), striking him in the chest area.