Shloka 6
रात्रौ युद्धप्रवृत्तिः — Night Battle Begins; Duryodhana’s Protective Orders for Droṇa
Droṇa-parva 139
ते कर्णचापप्रभवा: शरा बर्हिणवासस: । विविशु: सर्वतः पार्थ वासायेवाण्डजा द्रुमम्
te karṇacāpaprabhavāḥ śarā barhiṇavāsasaḥ | viviśuḥ sarvataḥ pārtha vāsāyevāṇḍajā drumam ||
O Partha, arrows born of Karna’s bow—feathered like peacock plumes—entered you from every side, as young birds crowd into their nest upon a tree.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness under overwhelming force: even when surrounded by danger, a warrior is expected to remain composed and faithful to duty. The simile of birds entering a nest emphasizes the density and inevitability of the incoming attack, testing resolve and discipline.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa’s intense barrage: peacock-feathered arrows shot from Karṇa’s bow strike Arjuna from all directions, likened to birds flocking into a nest in a tree—conveying how completely Arjuna is being hemmed in by missiles.