Shloka 26
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
शिखण्डी तु महाराज द्रौणिमासाद्य संयुगे । आजलचघान भ्रुवोर्मध्ये नाराचैस्त्रिभिराशुगै:,महाराज! दूसरी ओर शिखण्डीने युद्धभूमिमें अश्वत्थामाके पास पहुँचकर तीन शीघ्रगामी नाराचोंद्वारा उसके भौंहोंके मध्यभागमें आघात किया
śikhaṇḍī tu mahārāja drauṇim āsādya saṃyuge | ājaghāna bhruvor madhye nārācais tribhir āśugaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O King, Śikhaṇḍī, having come up to Droṇa’s son Aśvatthāman in the thick of battle, struck him between the eyebrows with three swift nārāca arrows—an episode that underscores the relentless, personal intensity of the Kurukṣetra war, where prowess and resolve drive warriors to seek decisive blows amid the larger struggle over kingship and dharma.
संजय उवाच