Shloka 103
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
अथीैनं तत्र संलीनमस्पृशद् धनुषा पुनः । प्रहसंश्व॒ पुनर्वाक्यं भीममाह वृषस्तदा,तत्पश्चात् वहाँ छिपे हुए भीमसेनका कर्णने पुनः धनुषसे स्पर्श किया और उस समय उनका उपहास करते हुए फिर कहा--
athainaṃ tatra saṃlīnam aspṛśad dhanuṣā punaḥ | prahaṃś ca punaḥ vākyaṃ bhīmam āha vṛṣas tadā ||
Sañjaya said: Then Karṇa again touched Bhīmasena, who lay concealed there, with his bow; and, mocking him, Vṛṣa (Karṇa) once more addressed Bhīma with taunting words.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how ridicule and psychological aggression accompany physical violence in war, raising ethical questions about kṣatriya conduct: victory pursued through taunts and humiliation can degrade dharma even when martial skill is present.
Bhīma is described as concealed or lying low; Karṇa approaches, touches him again with his bow (a gesture of dominance and provocation), and then speaks to him mockingly, escalating the confrontation through derisive speech.