Mahabharata 9.13.173 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 13, Shloka 173

Book 9 (Śalya-parva), Adhyāya 13 — Arjuna’s Arrow-storm and the Drauṇi Confrontation

Devanagari script

युधिष्ठिरमथाविध्यद्‌ दशभिर्निशितै: शरै: । समरांगणमें धर्मपुत्रके बाणोंसे आच्छादित होते हुए शल्यने युधिष्ठिरको दस पैने बाणोंसे बींध डाला

Transliteration

yudhiṣṭhiram athāvidhyad daśabhir niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ |

Translation

三阇耶说道：随后，沙利耶以十支锐箭射中坚战。即便法之子正以己箭覆满战场，沙利耶仍以十箭贯穿其身——这是一幅不屈武志的图景：正义之王必须受创而不失镇定，不离职责与法度。

Word by Word

• युधिष्ठिरम्: Yudhiṣṭhira (as object)
• युधिष्ठिरम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: युधिष्ठिर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अथ: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• अविध्यत्: pierced, struck
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्यध्
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• दशभिः: with ten
• दशभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun (Numeral)
• Root: दशन्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• निशितैः: sharp, whetted
• निशितैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निशित
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• शरैः: arrows
• शरैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Śalya
• Yudhiṣṭhira
• arrows (śara)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma: steadfastness under attack and the acceptance of hardship while remaining committed to one’s duty. Even a dharmic ruler like Yudhiṣṭhira must face violence in war without losing composure or purpose.

What is happening in the narrative?

During the battle, Śalya shoots Yudhiṣṭhira with ten sharp arrows. The context implies an exchange of missiles—Yudhiṣṭhira’s arrows are being met and countered as Śalya lands a direct, forceful strike.