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Shloka 19

Arjuna–Bhīṣma Strategic Engagement and Mutual Arrow-Interdiction (भीष्मार्जुनसमागमः)

धार्तराष्ट्रान्‌ प्रतिययुरर्दयन्त: शितै: शरै: । वजैरिव महावेगै: शिखराणि धराभूताम्‌,तदनन्तर द्रौपदीके पाँचों पुत्र, महारथी अभिमन्यु, नकुल, सहदेव तथा ट्रुपदपुत्र धृष्टद्युम्न--ये सभी योद्धा वज्जके समान महान्‌ वेगशाली तीक्ष्ण बाणोंद्वारा पर्वत-शिखरोंकी भाँति धृतराष्ट्रपुत्रोंको पीड़ा देते हुए उनपर चढ़ आये

sañjaya uvāca | dhārtarāṣṭrān pratiyayur ardayantaḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ | vajrair iva mahāvegaiḥ śikharāṇi dharābhūtām ||

Sañjaya nói: Rồi họ xông thẳng vào các con của Dhṛtarāṣṭra, làm họ đau đớn bởi những mũi tên sắc—như những tia sét nhanh giáng xuống các đỉnh núi.

धार्तराष्ट्रान्the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra
धार्तराष्ट्रान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootधार्तराष्ट्र (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
प्रतिययुःwent against / advanced upon
प्रतिययुः:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootया (धातु)
FormPerfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada
अर्दयन्तःtormenting / afflicting
अर्दयन्तः:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootअर्द् (धातु)
FormPresent active participle (Śatṛ), Masculine, Nominative, Plural
शितैःwith sharp
शितैः:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootशित (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Plural
शरैःarrows
शरैः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootशर (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Plural
वज्रैःwith thunderbolts
वज्रैः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootवज्र (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Plural
इवas if / like
इव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइव
महावेगैःwith great speed / force
महावेगैः:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootमहावेग (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Plural
शिखराणिpeaks / summits
शिखराणि:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootशिखर (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Accusative, Plural
धराभूताम्of the earth-born (mountains) / belonging to the earth
धराभूताम्:
Adhikarana
TypeAdjective
Rootधराभूत (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine, Genitive, Plural

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
D
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons (Kauravas)
A
arrows (śara)
T
thunderbolt (vajra)
M
mountain peaks (śikhara)

Educational Q&A

The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma in its battlefield form: decisive action, courage, and disciplined use of force against an opposing army in open combat, expressed through a vivid simile that conveys intensity without celebrating cruelty for its own sake.

Sañjaya reports a forceful advance against the Kauravas: warriors press them with sharp, fast arrows, compared to thunderbolts striking mountain summits—signaling a powerful offensive in the battle sequence.