Shloka 283
Adhyāya 14: Śalya’s Missile-Pressure and the Pāṇḍava Convergence (शल्यस्य शरवर्षम्)
मृदुपूर्व ततश्वैनं पुन: पुनरताडयत् । शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले सव्यसाचीने अश्वत्थामाके घोड़े, सारथि एवं रथको चौपट कर दिया। फिर वे हलके हाथों बाण चलाकर बारंबार उसे घायल करने लगे
mṛdupūrvaṃ tataś cainaṃ punaḥ punar atāḍayat |
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Sa una, marahan niya itong tinamaan nang magaan; saka niya ito patuloy na hinampas, muli’t muli. Sa bahaging ito ng labanan, si Savyasācī—na nagpapasiklab ng pighati sa mga kaaway—ay winasak ang mga kabayo ni Aśvatthāmā, ang kaniyang karwahero, at ang kaniyang karwahe. Pagkaraan, magaan ang kamay niyang nagpapakawala ng mga palaso, at paulit-ulit niyang sinugatan ang kalaban.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a morally charged aspect of warfare: skill can be used with restraint, yet restraint itself may serve cruelty when it prolongs suffering. It invites reflection on intention (bhāva) and proportionality in action, even within kṣatriya-duty.
Sañjaya describes a combat moment where a warrior first strikes the opponent lightly and then continues to strike repeatedly, indicating sustained pressure and domination rather than a single decisive blow.