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Shloka 63

Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda

Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps

महाशनिर्यथा भ्रष्टा शक्रमुक्ता नभोगता । उन वेगवान्‌ नरेशने उक्त बाणके द्वारा उस महान्‌ त्रिशूलको काट डाला। वह सुवर्णभूषित त्रिशूल दो टुकड़ोंमें कटकर ऊपरकी ओर उछला। उस समय वह इन्द्रके हाथसे छूटकर आकाशशसे गिरते हुए महान्‌ वज़्के समान सुशोभित हुआ || ६२ ह ।।

mahāśanir yathā bhraṣṭā śakramuktā nabhogatā | śūlaṁ nipatitaṁ dṛṣṭvā dvidhā kṛttaṁ ca pārthivaḥ ||

三阇耶说道:如同因陀罗所放的巨雷自天而坠,那柄三叉戟——被斩为两段——也坠落而闪耀。见三叉戟断作两截落地,婆伽达多王便执起一柄巨大的“沙克提”(śakti)神兵,火焰缠绕,金柄辉饰,向敌人掷去,并高呼:“站住!站住!”

शूलम्the trident/spear
शूलम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootशूल
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
निपतितम्fallen
निपतितम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootनि-पत्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular, क्त (past passive participle)
दृष्ट्वाhaving seen
दृष्ट्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootदृश्
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund)
द्विधाin two parts, into two
द्विधा:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootद्विधा
कृत्तम्cut, severed
कृत्तम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootकृत्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular, क्त (past passive participle)
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
पार्थिवःthe king (earth-lord)
पार्थिवः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootपार्थिव
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
Ś
Śakra (Indra)
B
Bhagadatta
Ś
śūla/triśūla (trident)
Ś
śakti (javelin-like weapon)

Educational Q&A

The passage highlights the kṣatriya code in war: when one weapon fails, the warrior does not collapse into despair but responds with resolve and readiness. Ethically, it also shows how battle can rapidly escalate through ever more destructive weapons, underscoring the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between valor and the tragic cost of violence.

Sañjaya describes a trident being cut into two and falling like Indra’s thunderbolt. Seeing this, King Bhagadatta takes up a blazing śakti-weapon with a golden shaft and hurls it at his opponent, challenging him with the cry “Stand! Stand!”