Shloka 8
तस्या: शरेण तीक्ष्णेन पृथुधारेण पाण्डव: । शिरक्षिच्छेद गच्छन्त्यास्तामपश्यच्छचीपति:
tasyāḥ śareṇa tīkṣṇena pṛthudhāreṇa pāṇḍavaḥ | śiraś ciccheda gacchantyās tām apaśyac chacīpatiḥ ||
وَیشَمپایَن نے کہا— تب پانڈَو ارجُن نے تیز، چوڑی دھار والے تیر سے بھاگتی ہوئی اُس سانپنی کا سر کاٹ دیا۔ شچی پتی اِندر نے اس کی وہ حالت اپنی آنکھوں سے دیکھی۔
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights decisive action in the face of immediate threat and the idea that deeds occur under a moral universe where even gods may witness and respond—implying accountability and consequences (karma) for violent acts, even when performed as protection.
A serpent-woman is fleeing; Arjuna (the Pāṇḍava) shoots a sharp, broad-bladed arrow and severs her head. Indra (Śacī’s husband) sees this event directly.