Shloka 41
भीष्म-युधिष्ठिर-संमर्दः
Bhīṣma’s Pressure on Yudhiṣṭhira; Śikhaṇḍī’s Approach; Evening Withdrawal
तस्य विक्षिपतश्चापं श्रुतकीर्तेर्महास्वनम् । चिच्छेद समरे तूर्ण जयत्सेन: सुतस्तव
tasya vikṣipataścāpaṃ śrutakīrtermāhāsvanam | ciccheda samare tūrṇaṃ jayatsenaḥ sutastava ||
Sañjaya nói: “Khi Śrutakīrti đang vung cây cung lớn vang rền như sấm, thì Jayatsena—con trai ngài—đã mau lẹ chém đứt nó ngay giữa trận.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the battlefield ethic that effectiveness depends on alertness and timely execution: a single swift, well-aimed act can neutralize an opponent’s advantage. It reflects the kṣatriya ideal of decisive action under pressure rather than mere display of power.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Śrutakīrti is actively wielding a loud, formidable bow, but Jayatsena—Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son—quickly severs that bow during the fight, abruptly checking Śrutakīrti’s offensive capability.