Shloka 15
Bhīṣma–Karṇa Saṃvāda on the Śaraśayyā (भीष्म–कर्ण संवादः शरशय्यायाम्)
रथिन: सादिनश्चापि तत्र तत्र निषूदिता: । दृश्यन्ते बहवो राजन् वेपमाना: समन्ततः
sañjaya uvāca | rathinaḥ sādināś cāpi tatra tatra niṣūditāḥ | dṛśyante bahavo rājan vepamānāḥ samantataḥ | ekaikaṃ tribhir ānarcchat kaḍukabarhiṇavājitaiḥ |
قال سَنجايا: «أيها الملك، قُطع كثيرٌ من فرسان العجلات وفرسان الخيل هنا وهناك؛ وكانوا يُرَون من كل جانب يرتجفون ويتلوّون. وقد أصاب كلَّ واحدٍ منهم بثلاثة سهام—مُريَّشة بريش الرَّخَم—فأوقع ألماً حادّاً وبثّ الاضطراب في ساحة القتال.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim reality of warfare: martial skill can swiftly translate into mass suffering. Even when framed within kṣatriya-duty, the narrative invites ethical reflection on the human cost of victory and the fragility of life amid violence.
Sañjaya reports to the king that many chariot-warriors and horsemen have been struck down across the field, seen trembling and writhing. The (unnamed in this Sanskrit snippet) warrior attacks each opponent with three feather-fletched arrows, spreading pain and disarray.