Shloka 16
Śalya’s Objection to Sārathya and Duryodhana’s Conciliation (शल्यमन्यु-प्रशमनम् / Sārathyāṅgīkāra)
अथान्यद् धनुरादाय कर्णो वैकर्तनस्तदा । नकुल॑ पज्चभिर्बाणर्जत्रुदेशे समार्पयत्,तब वैकर्तन कर्णने दूसरा धनुष लेकर नकुलके गलेकी हँसलीपर पाँच बाण मारे
athānyad dhanur ādāya karṇo vaikartanas tadā | nakulaṁ pañcabhir bāṇair jatrudeśe samārpayat ||
Sañjaya said: Then Karṇa, the charioteer’s son (Vaikartana), took up another bow and struck Nakula with five arrows at the region of the collarbone. Thus the battle’s ferocity rose, and prowess was shown in precise, targeted blows.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of dharma in wartime: a kṣatriya’s duty is executed through disciplined martial action, yet the precision and intensity of violence reveal the moral strain inherent in righteous war.
Sañjaya narrates that Karṇa switches to another bow and shoots Nakula with five arrows aimed at the collarbone/neck-joint area, demonstrating Karṇa’s continued aggression and technical mastery in the ongoing battle.