Shloka 15
Bhīṣma–Karṇa Saṃvāda on the Śaraśayyā (भीष्म–कर्ण संवादः शरशय्यायाम्)
रथिन: सादिनश्चापि तत्र तत्र निषूदिता: । दृश्यन्ते बहवो राजन् वेपमाना: समन्ततः,एकैकं त्रिभिरानर्च्छत् कड़ुकबर्हिणवाजितै: । उसके बाद सुशर्मा और कृपाचार्यको भी तीन-तीन बाणोंसे बींध डाला। राजेन्द्र! फिर समरांगणमें प्राग्ज्योतिषनरेश भगदत्त, सिन्धुराज जयद्रथ, चित्रसेन, विकर्ण, कृतवर्मा, दुर्मीषण तथा महारथी विन्द और अनुविन्द--इनमैंसे प्रत्येकको गीधकी पाँखसे युक्त तीन- तीन बाणोंद्वारा विशेष पीड़ा दी राजन! बहुत-से रथी और घुड़सवार जहाँ-तहाँ चारों ओर मारे जाकर काँपते और छटपटाते हुए दिखायी देते थे
sañjaya uvāca | rathinaḥ sādināś cāpi tatra tatra niṣūditāḥ | dṛśyante bahavo rājan vepamānāḥ samantataḥ | ekaikaṃ tribhir ānarcchat kaḍukabarhiṇavājitaiḥ |
Sañjaya said: “O King, many chariot-warriors and horsemen were cut down here and there; all around they could be seen trembling and writhing. He struck each one with three arrows—shafts fitted with vulture-feathers—inflicting sharp pain and confusion across the battlefield.”
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.