Shloka 119
अर्जुनस्य शीघ्रप्रयाणं भीम-शकुनियुद्धं च
Arjuna’s Rapid Advance and the Bhīma–Śakuni Encounter
विधुन्वानो महच्चापं कार्तस्वरविभूषितम् । आददान: शरान् घोरान् स्वरश्मीनिव भास्कर:,उस युद्धमें जब सव्यसाची अर्जुनने शत्रुओंके पक्ष और प्रपक्ष दोनोंको मार गिराया, तब द्रोणपुत्र अश्वत्थामा अपने सुवर्णभूषित विशाल धनुषको हिलाता और अपनी किरणोंको धारण करनेवाले सूर्यदेवके समान भयंकर बाण हाथमें लेता हुआ तुरंत विजयी वीरोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुनके सामने आ पहुँचा
vidhunvāno mahācāpaṃ kārtasvaravibhūṣitam | ādadānaḥ śarān ghorān svaraśmīn iva bhāskaraḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Shaking his great bow adorned with gleaming gold, Aśvatthāmā, the son of Droṇa, seized terrible arrows—like the Sun bearing his own rays—and swiftly came to stand before Arjuna, foremost among victorious heroes, after Arjuna had struck down the enemy’s wings and counter-wings in that battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare breeds continual retaliation: even after a decisive feat by a righteous hero, another powerful warrior rises with renewed fury. Ethically, it points to the self-perpetuating nature of violence and the way martial excellence can intensify conflict rather than end it.
After Arjuna has cut down the enemy’s formations (“wings and counter-wings”), Aśvatthāmā advances to confront him. He brandishes a large gold-adorned bow and takes up fearsome arrows, compared to the Sun holding its rays, signaling his formidable presence and intent to engage Arjuna directly.