Shloka 19
Bhīṣma–Arjuna Strategic Engagement at Virāṭa’s Frontier (भीष्मार्जुनयुद्धम्)
तथा तु विमुखे पार्थे द्रोणपुत्रस्य सायकान् । त्वरिता: पुरुषा राजन्नुपाजहु: सहस्रश:,राजन! इस प्रकार जब अर्जुनने उधरसे दृष्टि हटाकर दूसरी ओर मुँह फेर लिया, तब बहुत-से सैनिक तुरंत वहाँ आ पहुँचे और उन्होंने द्रोणपुत्रके हजारों बाणोंको (रणभूमिसे उठाकर) उन्हें समर्पित कर दिया
tathā tu vimukhe pārthe droṇaputrasya sāyakān | tvaritāḥ puruṣā rājann upājahuḥ sahasraśaḥ ||
Tâu Đại vương! Khi Pārtha (Arjuna) quay mặt đi, rất nhiều người—hàng nghìn—vội vã chạy tới, nhặt gom những mũi tên của con trai Droṇa (Aśvatthāman) và dâng trả lại cho hắn.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that warfare is sustained by collective participation: even a single fighter’s barrage depends on attendants who retrieve and supply weapons. Ethically, it points to shared responsibility in violence—support roles can be morally implicated in the continuation of harm.
As Arjuna turns away, many soldiers rush in and collect the thousands of arrows shot by Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāman), bringing them back to him—effectively resupplying him so he can continue fighting.