Shloka 7
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
ते ललाटं विनिर्भिद्य सूतपुत्रस्य भारत | विविशुश्वोदितास्तेन वल्मीकमिव पन्नगा:,भारत! उनके चलाये हुए वे नाराच सूतपुत्रका ललाट छेद करके बाँबीमें सर्पोंके समान उसके भीतर घुस गये
te lalāṭaṃ vinirbhidya sūtaputrasya bhārata | viviśuś coditās tena valmīkam iva pannagāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O Bhārata, the arrows he had loosed pierced the brow of the Sūta’s son and entered into him, like serpents slipping into an anthill.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily narrative, but its ethical resonance lies in portraying the harsh inevitability of war: once martial duty and enmity are fully engaged, violence proceeds with a force that is difficult to restrain. The simile (serpents entering an anthill) emphasizes how swiftly and decisively harm can penetrate when conflict is unleashed.
Sañjaya reports that the arrows shot by a warrior (referred to as ‘by him’) pierce Karna’s forehead and lodge within him, compared to snakes entering an anthill. It depicts Karna being struck powerfully in the ongoing battle scene of Droṇa Parva.