Shloka 6
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
पुनरस्य त्वरन् भीमो नाराचान् दश भारत । रणे प्रैषीन्महाबाहुर्निर्मुक्ताशीविषोपमान्,भरतनन्दन! फिर महाबाहु भीमने बड़ी उतावलीके साथ केंचुलसे छूटे हुए विषधर सर्पोंके समान दस नाराच उस रणक्षेत्रमें कर्णपर चलाये
sañjaya uvāca | punar asya tvaran bhīmo nārācān daśa bhārata | raṇe praiṣīn mahābāhur nirmuktāśīviṣopamān bharatanandana ||
Sañjaya said: Then again, Bhīma—mighty-armed—hastening in the press of battle, discharged ten nārāca arrows at him on the battlefield, O Bhārata, O delight of the Bharatas, like venomous serpents newly freed from their slough.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse does not preach directly; it intensifies the ethical atmosphere of the Kurukṣetra war by showing how quickly a warrior’s intent becomes irreversible action. The serpent simile conveys the lethal, fear-inducing power of weapons, reminding the listener that in dharma-contested war, prowess carries grave moral weight and consequences.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīma, acting swiftly, again releases ten heavy nārāca arrows at his opponent in the battle, describing them as deadly as venomous serpents newly freed from their slough.