Shloka 343
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
अपहस्तेन चिच्छेद शैनेयस्त्वरयान्वित: । युद्धके उस महान् रंगस्थलमें श्रेष्ठ खड़ग धारण करके विचरते हुए विन्दको सात्यकिने तिरछे हाथसे शीघ्रतापूर्वक काट डाला
apahastena ciccheda śaineyas tvarayānvitāḥ |
Sinabi ni Sanjaya: Sa isang mabilis na pahilis na hagupit ng kamay, si Śaineya—kumilos nang ubod ng bilis—ay pinabagsak si Vindaka habang ito’y naglilibot sa larangan ng digmaan na tangan ang isang mainam na espada.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh moral landscape of war: a warrior’s skill and swiftness can be decisive, yet such acts occur within the larger frame of svadharma—chosen duty—where courage and resolve are praised even as the violence remains tragic.
Sañjaya reports that Śaineya (Sātyaki), moving quickly, strikes Vindaka with an oblique hand-stroke and cuts him down while Vindaka is moving about the battlefield wielding a sword.