Shloka 8
रात्रौ युद्धप्रवृत्तिः — Night Battle Begins; Duryodhana’s Protective Orders for Droṇa
Droṇa-parva 139
चापध्वजोपस्करेभ्यश्छत्रादीषामुखाद् युगात् प्रभवन्तो व्यदृश्यन्त राजन्नाधिरथे: शरा:,राजन्! उस समय अधिरथपुत्र कर्णके बाण केवल धनुषसे ही नहीं, ध्वज आदि अन्य समानोंसे, छत्रसे, ईषादण्ड आदिसे तथा रथके जूएसे भी प्रकट होते दिखायी देते थे
cāpadhvajopaskarebhyaś chatrādīṣāmukhād yugāt prabhavanto vyadṛśyanta rājann ādhiratheḥ śarāḥ
O King, the arrows of Karna, son of Adhiratha, were seen as though springing forth not only from his bow, but also from the banner and other fittings, from the parasol, from the pole and its parts, and even from the yoke of the chariot.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how, in war, a warrior’s concentrated skill and fierce resolve can appear superhuman—yet such power is ethically framed within kṣatriya-dharma: prowess is admired, but it also signals the intensification of violence and the grave consequences of battle.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa’s archery was so rapid and relentless that arrows seemed to emerge not only from his bow but from various parts of his chariot—banner, parasol, fittings, pole, and yoke—creating an image of unstoppable assault.