Shloka 2
कर्णपर्व — चतुर्दशोऽध्यायः
Arjuna’s Suppression of the Saṃśaptakas; Kṛṣṇa’s Strategic Admonition; Battlefield Inventory
अथीैनं पुनराजघ्ने नवत्या निशितै: शरै: । सर्वमर्माणि सम्प्रेक्ष्य मर्मज्ञो लघुहस्तवत्,फिर शीघ्रतापूर्वक हाथ चलानेवाले कुशल योद्धाके समान मर्मज्ञ अश्वत्थामाने भीमसेनके सारे मर्मस्थानोंको लक्ष्य करके पुनः उनपर नब्बे तीखों बाणोंका प्रहार किया
athainaṃ punar ājaghne navatyā niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | sarva-marmāṇi samprekṣya marma-jño laghu-hastavat ||
Sañjaya said: Then again he struck him with ninety razor-sharp arrows. Aiming at every vital point, Aśvatthāmā—knower of vulnerable spots and swift of hand like a seasoned warrior—assailed Bhīmasena with precise, lethal intent.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the morally tense reality of war: technical mastery (knowing vital points and striking swiftly) can be used with lethal precision. It invites reflection on how skill and intelligence, when driven by hostility, intensify harm—raising questions about restraint and righteous conduct (dharma) even amid battle.
Sañjaya describes Aśvatthāmā attacking again, shooting ninety sharp arrows at Bhīmasena. He carefully targets Bhīma’s vulnerable points, demonstrating expert knowledge of vital spots and rapid, practiced execution.