Shloka 20
त्रिपुरदाह-इतिहासः
Tripura-destruction exemplum and counsel to Śalya
ताञ्शराज्शकुनिस्तूर्ण चिच्छेदान्यै: पतत्रिभि: । लघ्वस्त्रश्चित्रयोधी च जितकाशी च संयुगे
tāñ śarāñ śakunīs tūrṇaṃ cicchedānyaiḥ patatribhiḥ | laghv-astraś citra-yodhī ca jita-kāśī ca saṃyuge ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Mabilis na pinutol ni Śakuni ang mga palasong iyon sa pamamagitan ng iba pang palasong may balahibo. Siya’y matulin sa paggamit ng sandata, bihasa sa sari-saring paraan ng pakikidigma, at nagliliwanag sa tiwala ng tagumpay sa larangan; sinalag niya ang mga palaso ni Sutasoma sa pamamagitan ng kanyang matutulis na palaso, at saka—sa galit—sinugatan si Sutasoma ng tatlong palaso.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how battlefield excellence (speed, tactical variety, accurate countering) can be immediately overtaken by anger, turning defense into punitive retaliation. It implicitly warns that skill without restraint easily becomes cruelty, intensifying the cycle of violence.
Sañjaya describes Śakuni countering Sutasoma’s attack: he quickly slices Sutasoma’s incoming arrows with his own, demonstrating rapid weapon-use and tactical versatility. After neutralizing the missiles, he becomes enraged and strikes Sutasoma with three arrows.