Shloka 10
नारायणास्त्र-शमनं द्रौणि-प्रहारश्च
Pacification of the Nārāyaṇāstra and Drauni’s Renewed Assault
नकुलस्तु भृशं विद्ध: श्यालेन तव धन्विना । निषसाद रथोपस्थे कश्मलं चाविशन्महत्,आपके धनुर्धर सालेके द्वारा अत्यन्त घायल किये हुए नकुल रथके पिछले भागमें बैठ गये और भारी मूर्च्छामें पड़ गये
nakulas tu bhṛśaṃ viddhaḥ śyālena tava dhanvinā | niṣasāda rathopasthe kaśmalaṃ cāviśan mahat ||
Sañjaya said: Nakula, grievously wounded by your archer brother-in-law, sank down upon the rear of his chariot; and a great faintness—born of shock and pain—overcame him.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the human cost of war: even renowned warriors are vulnerable to pain, shock, and collapse. It also highlights Sañjaya’s impartial reporting to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, reminding the listener that battlefield outcomes are shaped by both prowess and the frailty of the body.
During the fighting, Nakula is struck severely by an archer described as Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s ‘brother-in-law’ (śyāla), i.e., Śalya. Overwhelmed by the wound, Nakula slumps onto the rear/seat area of his chariot and falls into a deep faintness.