Shloka 28
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 19 — Saṃśaptaka–Trigarta Assault and Aindra-astra Counter
प्रयुक्तांस्तान् प्रयत्नेन छित्त्वा द्रौणेरिषूनरि: । चक्ररक्षौ रणे तस्य प्राणुदन्निशितै: शरै:,इस प्रकार अश्वत्थामाके चलाये हुए उन बाणोंको प्रयत्नपूर्वक काटकर उसके शत्रु पाण्ड्यनरेशने पैने बाणोंद्वारा रणभूमिमें उसके दोनों चक्ररक्षकोंको मार डाला
sañjaya uvāca |
prayuktāṁs tān prayatnena chittvā drauṇer iṣūn ariḥ |
cakrarakṣau raṇe tasya prāṇudad niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Having carefully cut down those arrows that had been launched by Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāman), the enemy—here, the king of Pāṇḍya—then, in the thick of battle, struck down Aśvatthāman’s two wheel-guards with sharp shafts.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores disciplined effort and presence of mind in conflict: first neutralize immediate danger (cutting incoming arrows), then weaken the opponent’s defensive structure (striking the chariot’s wheel-guards). It presents victory as arising from skill and vigilance rather than trickery.
Aśvatthāman shoots arrows; the opposing warrior (identified in the Hindi gloss as the Pāṇḍya king) cuts those arrows down and then hits Aśvatthāman’s two cakrarakṣas—guards protecting the chariot wheels—thereby crippling his chariot’s protection in the battle.