Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 41
Adhyāya 61: Saṃmohana-astra and the Kuru Withdrawal (संमोहनास्त्रं तथा कुरुनिवृत्तिः)
त॑ विकर्ण: शरैस्ती&णैर्गुप्रपत्रैरजिह्ागै: । विव्याध परवीरघ्नमर्जुनं धृतराष्ट्रज:
taṁ vikarṇaḥ śarais tīkṣṇair gṛdhrapatrair ajihmagaiḥ | vivyādha paravīraghnam arjunaṁ dhṛtarāṣṭrajaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Da durchbohrte Vikarna, der Sohn Dhṛtarāṣṭras, Arjuna—den Bezwinger feindlicher Helden—mit scharfen Pfeilen, mit Geierfedern befiedert und geradewegs zum Ziel fliegend.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya world of measured valor: even against a famed warrior like Arjuna, opponents must act with skill and resolve. Ethically, it reflects the harsh duty-bound arena of battle where prowess and steadfastness are tested, regardless of fame or rank.
In the battle episode, Vikarṇa, a Kaurava prince, shoots Arjuna with sharp, straight-flying arrows fletched with vulture feathers, successfully striking him.