Shloka 31
अर्जुनस्य द्रोणिप्रतिघातः कर्णोपसर्पणं च
Arjuna Checks Droṇaputra; Karṇa Advances
सुषेणं च हतोडसीति ब्रुवन्नादत्त सायकम् । तमस्य कर्णश्रिच्छेद त्रिभिश्लैनमताडयत्
suṣeṇaṃ ca hato ’sīti bruvann ādatta sāyakam | tam asya karṇaś ciccheda tribhiś cainam atāḍayat ||
Sañjaya said: Declaring, “Suṣeṇa too is slain,” Bhīmasena took up an arrow to strike. But Karṇa cut down that missile and then, with three shafts, wounded Bhīma in return.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya-world ethic of immediate response in battle: speech of triumph is answered by superior technique, and prowess is measured by composure and precision rather than mere proclamation.
Bhīma, proclaiming that Suṣeṇa is killed, lifts an arrow to strike; Karṇa intercepts by cutting that arrow and then counters by hitting Bhīma with three arrows, wounding him.