Shloka 4
द्वैपायनह्रदे दुर्योधनान्वेषणम् / The Search for Duryodhana at Dvaipāyana Lake
संगृहीतायुधान् बाहूनू योधानामधिधावताम् । भल्लैश्विच्छेद बीभत्सु: शिरांस्पपि हयानपि,सहदेवपर धावा करनेवाले उन योद्धाओंकी अस्त्र-शस्त्रयुक्त भुजाओं, मस्तकों और उनके घोड़ोंको भी अर्जुनने भल्लोंसे काट गिराया
saṅgṛhītāyudhān bāhūn yodhānām adhidhāvatām | bhallaiś ciccheda bībhatsuḥ śirāṃsi api hayān api ||
Sañjaya nói: Khi các chiến binh cầm vũ khí xông thẳng tới, Bībhatsu (Arjuna) đã dùng những mũi tên bhalla sắc bén chém đứt những cánh tay đang mang vũ khí, chặt rơi đầu họ, và cả những con ngựa của họ nữa—bằng sức mạnh chính xác, không nương tay, ngăn chặn đà xung kích giữa chiến địa.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in its stark form: when battle is joined, a warrior must act decisively and skillfully to stop an aggressor’s charge. It also underscores the ethical tension of war—effective action can be precise and controlled, yet still entails grave harm and responsibility.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna (called Bībhatsu) meeting a forward charge by enemy warriors. Using bhalla-arrows, he severs their weapon-bearing arms and heads, and brings down their horses as well, breaking the momentum of the attack.