Shloka 24
अध्याय ५३ — रणमेघोपमा सेना-वर्णना तथा सुषेण-वधोत्तर प्रतिक्रिया
Battle-as-Storm Imagery and the Aftermath of Suṣeṇa’s Fall
सुकेतुस्तु ततो राजन् गौतमं॑ नवभि: शरै: । विद्ध्वा विव्याध सप्तत्या पुनश्चैनं त्रिभि: शरै:,राजन! तदनन्तर सुकेतुने कृपाचार्यको पहले नौ बाणोंसे बींधकर फिर तिहत्तर तीरोंसे उन्हें घायल कर दिया
suketus tu tato rājan gautamaṁ navabhiḥ śaraiḥ | viddhvā vivyādha saptatyā punaś cainaṁ tribhiḥ śaraiḥ ||
三阇耶说道：“随后，大王啊，苏计都以九支箭射中乔多摩（克利波，Kṛpa）；既已贯穿，又以七十支箭再度重创他，并再以三支箭补射。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, momentum and the urge to dominate can intensify violence rapidly; it invites reflection on the ethical cost of relentless aggression even when framed within kṣatriya duty.
Sañjaya reports that Suketu attacks Gautama in successive volleys—first nine arrows, then seventy, then three more—depicting a sustained assault and the tactical pressing of an advantage in the ongoing battle.