Shloka 21
Ulūpī–Citravāhinī Saṃvāda: Dhanaṃjaya-patana and Prāya-threat
किरीटिनं प्रविव्याध शरेणानतपर्वणा । जन्रुदेशे नरव्याप्र॑ प्रहसन् बभ्रुवाहन:,बभ्रुवाहनने हँसते-हँसते पुरुषसिंह अर्जुनके गलेकी हँसलीमें झुकी हुई गाँठवाले एक बाणद्वारा गहरी चोट पहुँचायी
vaiśampāyana uvāca | kirīṭinaṁ pravivyādha śareṇānataparvaṇā | jatrudeśe naravyāghra prahasan babhruvāhanaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Laughing aloud, Babhruvāhana struck the diadem-wearing Arjuna—tiger among men—with an arrow whose joints were bent, piercing him at the region of the collarbone/neck with a deep wound.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical seriousness of kṣatriya combat: prowess and reputation do not exempt one from vulnerability, and dharma requires composure and humility even when confronted with shocking reversals.
During the events of the Aśvamedhika Parva, Babhruvāhana, laughing, shoots Arjuna with a specially described arrow, striking him at the collarbone/neck region and inflicting a deep wound—marking a dramatic turning point in their encounter.