Shloka 32

Chapter 136: Pandava Counter-Encirclement and the Vāyavya-Astra Disruption

Devanagari script

स भीमस्त्रिभिरायत्त: सूतपुत्रं पतत्त्रिभि:

Transliteration

sa bhīmas tribhir āyattaḥ sūtaputraṃ patattribhiḥ

Translation

Sañjaya said: Bhīma, struck by three blows and sorely pressed, in turn assailed the charioteer’s son, Karṇa, with three swift-flying missiles—meeting force with force by the stern law of battlefield reprisal.

Word by Word

• सः: he (that one)
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• भीमः: Bhima
• भीमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• त्रिभिः: with three
• त्रिभिः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि
• Form: Masculine/Neuter/Feminine, Instrumental, Plural

• आयत्तः: intent on / directed toward / engaged (in)
• आयत्तः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ-यत् (यत्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सूतपुत्रम्: the charioteer’s son (Karna)
• सूतपुत्रम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूतपुत्र
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• पतत्त्रिभिः: with arrows (lit. fliers)
• पतत्त्रिभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पतत्त्रि
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīma
• Karṇa (Sūtaputra)
• Sañjaya

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

In the battlefield frame of the Mahābhārata, the verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic of measured response: when assailed, a warrior answers with comparable force, maintaining resolve under pressure.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Bhīma, having been struck by three weapons, counters by striking Karṇa (called ‘Sūtaputra’) with three swift missiles/arrows.