Shloka 9
अध्याय २६ — शल्यस्य सारथ्य-नियोजनं, कर्णस्य प्रस्थानं, उत्पातदर्शनं च
Chapter 26: Śalya appointed as charioteer; Karṇa’s departure; portents
मित्रवर्मा त्रिसप्तत्या सौश्रुतिश्चापि सप्तभि: | श्रुतंजयस्तु विंशत्या सुशर्मा नवभि: शरै:
sañjaya uvāca |
mitravarmā trisaptatyā sauśrutiścāpi saptabhiḥ |
śrutañjayastu viṃśatyā suśarmā navabhiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Mitravarmā struck Arjuna, the son of Pāṇḍu, with seventy-three arrows; Sauśruti with seven; Śrutañjaya with twenty; and Suśarmā with nine. Thus, amid the press of battle, many warriors together pierced Arjuna—showing how, in war, coordinated force is used to overwhelm even a foremost hero, while Arjuna’s steadfastness under assault becomes a measure of disciplined endurance rather than mere aggression.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the reality of warfare where multiple fighters may combine their strength against a single champion; ethically, it underscores the kṣatriya arena where endurance, composure, and steadfast performance of duty are tested under concentrated hostility.
Sañjaya reports that several Kaurava-side warriors—Mitravarmā, Sauśruti, Śrutañjaya, and Suśarmā—shoot Arjuna with specified numbers of arrows, describing a coordinated barrage against him in the midst of battle.