Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
छादयामास समरे शरैराशीविषोपमै: । द्रोणशत्रुर्महेष्वासो विव्याध निशितै: शरै:
sañjaya uvāca |
chādayāmāsa samare śarair āśīviṣopamaiḥ |
droṇaśatrur maheṣvāso vivyādha niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
قال سنجيا: في غمرة القتال، غُطِّيَ الرامي العظيم—دِهْرِشْتَدْيُومْنَ قاتلُ دْرونا—بوابلٍ من السهام الحادّة كأنها أفاعٍ سامة. ومع ذلك فإن ذلك القوّاس الجليل طعن خصمه بسهامٍ قاطعة ردًّا عليه، مُظهِرًا أن في تبادُل الحرب الذي لا يرحم، يجيب البأسُ الجراحَ بلا انقطاع.
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores the harsh symmetry of battlefield dharma: in a kṣatriya conflict, prowess is measured by endurance and response—one is struck, yet must act without collapse, as action and consequence rapidly return upon each other.
Sañjaya describes an exchange of missile-fire: Dhṛṣṭadyumna, famed as Droṇa’s slayer and a great archer, is showered with arrows likened to venomous snakes, and he in turn pierces his opponent with sharp arrows.