Shloka 9
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
ते तमाजध्निरे वीर॑ं निवातकवचान्तकम् | संशप्तकनिहन्तारं हन्तारं सैन्धवस्य च,निवातकवचोंका विनाश, संशप्तकोंका संहार और जयद्रथका वध करनेवाले वीर अर्जुनपर स्वैन्धवोंने सब ओरसे प्रहार आरम्भ कर दिया
te tam ājadhnire vīraṃ nivātakavacāntakam | saṃśaptakanihantāraṃ hantāraṃ saindhavasya ca ||
毗湿摩耶那说：于是他们从四面八方开始攻击那位英雄阿周那——终结尼瓦塔迦瓦查者、歼灭三誓军者、诛杀阇耶德罗陀者。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary martial deeds—especially those performed in the name of duty—also attract concentrated opposition. It reflects the ethical tension of kṣatriya-dharma: righteous victory can still provoke cycles of retaliation, requiring steadiness and responsibility in the use of power.
Arjuna, renowned for earlier decisive victories (over the Nivātakavacas and the Saṃśaptakas, and for killing Jayadratha), becomes the target of a coordinated attack. The opposing warriors begin striking him from every direction.