Shloka 14
Kṛtavarmā–Sātyaki Chariot Duel and Kaurava Morale Shock (कृतवर्म-सात्यकि-द्वैरथम्)
सततं द्विपेन्द्रे सहसा पतन्त- मविध्यदन्निप्रतिमै: पृषत्कैः । कर्मारधौतैर्निशितैज्वलद्धि- नरिाचमुख्यैस्त्रिभिरुग्रवेगै:
sa-tataṁ dvipendre sahasā patantam avidhyad agnipratimaiḥ pṛṣatkaiḥ | karmāra-dhautair niśitaiḥ jvalad-dhīnarācaiḥ mukhyais tribhir ugra-vegaiḥ ||
সঞ্জয় বললেন—সহসা ধেয়ে আসা সেই দ্বিপেন্দ্রকে দেখে ধৃষ্টদ্যুম্ন মুহূর্তেই কামারের ঘষে-ঝকঝকে করা, তীক্ষ্ণধার, অগ্নিসদৃশ দীপ্তিমান ও ভয়ংকর বেগসম্পন্ন তিনটি শ্রেষ্ঠ নারাচে তাকে বিদ্ধ করলেন।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the battlefield ethic of decisive action (kṣātra-dharma): when danger rushes in, hesitation can be fatal. It also reflects the Mahābhārata’s sober view of war—prowess and craftsmanship (well-forged weapons) amplify destruction, reminding readers that skill is morally weighty when used in violence.
Sañjaya narrates that a powerful elephant suddenly charges, and Dhṛṣṭadyumna immediately wounds it with three excellent nārāca arrows—sharp, smith-polished, and fire-like—shot with great force.