Book 9 (Śalya-parva), Adhyāya 13 — Arjuna’s Arrow-storm and the Drauṇi Confrontation
नकुल और सहदेवने पाँच-पाँच बाणोंसे शल्यको घायल करके फिर सात बाणोंसे उन्हें तुरंत ही बींध डाला ।। स तु शूरो रणे यत्त: पीडितस्तैर्महारथै: । विकृष्य कार्मुकं घोरं वेगघ्नं भारसाधनम्
nakula-sahadevau pañca-pañca-bāṇaiḥ śalyaṃ ghātayitvā punaḥ sapta-bāṇaiḥ tam āśu vivyadhatuḥ || sa tu śūro raṇe yattaḥ pīḍitas tair mahārathaiḥ | vikṛṣya kārmukaṃ ghoraṃ vegaghnaṃ bhāra-sādhanam ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Si Nakula at si Sahadeva ay tumama kay Śalya—tig-limang palaso ang ipinana ng bawat isa—at pagkatapos, sa dagdag na pitong palaso, agad nila siyang muling tinuhog. Ngunit ang bayaning mandirigmang iyon, lubos na nakatuon sa labanan at mariing napipigil ng mga dakilang mandirigmang nakasakay sa karwahe, ay hinugot at iniunat ang kanyang nakapanghihilakbot na busog—sandatang pumipigil sa bugso ng kaaway at kayang magdala ng bigat ng digmaan—handa upang tumbasan ang kanilang paglusob.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness: even when wounded and outnumbered by great warriors, a commander must remain composed, take up his weapon, and meet force with disciplined resolve—valor joined to endurance amid the moral gravity of war.
Nakula and Sahadeva repeatedly wound Śalya with volleys of arrows. Śalya, though hard-pressed by these mahārathas, draws his formidable bow to counterattack, showing his continued readiness and command presence in the battle.