Shloka 73
द्रोणकर्णयोः निशि संप्रहारः — Night Engagement with Droṇa and Karṇa
तमापततन्तं वेगेन द्रौणिश्चविच्छेद सायकम् । अर्धचन्द्रेण तीक्ष्णेन स च्छिन्न: प्रापतद् भुवि,उस बाणको वेगपूर्वक आते देख अभश्वत्थामाने तीखे अर्धचन्द्रसे बीचमें ही काट दिया। कटकर वह पृथ्वीपर गिर पड़ा
tam āpatantaṁ vegena drauṇiś ciccheda sāyakam | ardhacandreṇa tīkṣṇena sa cchinnaḥ prāpatad bhuvi ||
Sañjaya said: As that arrow rushed in with great speed, Aśvatthāman, the son of Droṇa, cut it down in mid-flight with a sharp, crescent-headed shaft. Severed, the missile fell to the earth.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the heat of war, technical mastery and vigilance can instantly neutralize threats; ethically, it also reflects the grim reality that once conflict intensifies, outcomes are driven more by force and skill than by deliberation, reminding readers of the heavy cost of abandoning restraint.
An incoming arrow is seen rushing forward at high speed; Aśvatthāman (Drauṇi) responds by striking it with a sharp crescent-headed shaft, cutting it in mid-air so that the severed missile drops to the ground.