Shloka 23
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
तस्यायसं वर्म वरं वररत्नविभूषितम् । ताराव्याप्तस्थ नभस: शारदस्य समत्विषम्
sañjaya uvāca |
tasyāyasaṃ varma varaṃ vararatnavibhūṣitam |
tārāvyāptastha-nabhasaḥ śāradasya samatviṣam |
taṃ dṛṣṭvā nihataṃ śūraṃ bhrātā tasya mahārathaḥ |
sajyam anyad dhanuḥ kṛtvā śaineyaṃ paryavārayat ||
Wika ni Sanjaya: Ang kaniyang napakahusay na baluting bakal, pinalamutian ng pinakamahuhusay na hiyas, ay nagningning na wari’y langit ng taglagas na hitik sa mga bituin. Nang makita niyang napatay ang bayani, ang kaniyang kapatid—isang dakilang mandirigmang karwahe—ay nagkabit ng pisi sa isa pang busog at lumapit, pinaligiran si Shaineya (Satyaki) upang pigilan siya sa lahat ng panig.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how attachment to kin and the shock of loss can immediately harden into retaliatory resolve in war; it implicitly warns that violence tends to propagate further violence, even among those otherwise bound by dharma and warrior codes.
Sanjaya describes the slain warrior’s shining armor, then narrates that the fallen hero’s brother—an elite chariot-fighter—strings his bow and moves to surround Shaineya (Satyaki), attempting to restrain or counter him in battle.