Shloka 196
Book 9 (Śalya-parva), Adhyāya 13 — Arjuna’s Arrow-storm and the Drauṇi Confrontation
भीमसेनमुखांस्तांश्न त्रिभिस्त्रेभिरताडयत् । यह देख शल्यने एक क्षुरप्रसे सात्यकिके विशाल धनुषको काट दिया और भीमसेन आदिको भी तीन-तीन बाणोंसे चोट पहुँचायी
bhīmasenamukhāṁs tāṁś ca tribhis tribhir atāḍayat |
Wika ni Sañjaya: Nang makita ito, tinamaan ni Śalya si Bhīmasena at ang iba pang pangunahing mandirigma, tig-tatatlong palaso bawat isa. Sa parehong sagupaan, pinutol din niya ang malapad na busog ni Sātyaki gamit ang palasong may ulong parang talim—patunay ng malupit na katumpakan ng husay sa digmaan, sapagkat ang pagwasak sa sandata ng kalaban ay kasingpasya ng pagsugat sa mandirigma mismo.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic where mastery and strategy—such as disabling an enemy’s weapon—can be more decisive than brute force. It also underscores the harsh reality of war: prowess is measured by effectiveness, even when the means are violent.
Sañjaya narrates Śalya’s actions: he wounds Bhīmasena and other leading fighters with three arrows each, and he cuts Sātyaki’s large bow with a razor-headed arrow, temporarily neutralizing Sātyaki’s fighting capacity.