कर्णके धनुषसे छूटे हुए वे मयूरपंखधारी बाण सब ओरसे आकर भीमसेनके शरीरमें उसी प्रकार घुसने लगे, जैसे पक्षी बसेरा लेनेके लिये वृक्षोंपर आ जाते हैं ।। कर्णचापच्युता बाणा: सम्पतन्तस्ततस्तत: । रुक्मपुड्खा व्यराजन्त हंसा: श्रेणीकृता इव,कर्णके धनुषसे छूटकर इधर-उधर पड़नेवाले सुवर्णपंखयुक्त बाण श्रेणीबद्ध हंसोंके समान शोभा पा रहे थे
karṇacāpacyutā bāṇāḥ sampatantastatastataḥ | rukmapuṅkhā vyarājanta haṃsāḥ śreṇīkṛtā iva ||
Arrows loosed from Karna’s bow, bearing peacock-feathered fletching, came from every side and pierced Bhimasena’s body, as birds alight upon trees to take their roost. And those arrows, falling here and there, with golden fletching, shone like swans flying in ordered ranks.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how epic poetry can portray the disciplined efficiency of violence with striking beauty, prompting reflection on kṣatriya-duty: skill and order in war do not erase its harm, but they reveal the grave seriousness and momentum of dharma-bound conflict.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa releasing volleys of arrows. The arrows, with golden fletching, stream in ranked lines and appear like a formation of swans, emphasizing the intensity and precision of Karṇa’s assault (directed against Bhīmasena in the surrounding context).