Shloka 13
छादयामास समरे शरैराशीविषोपमै: । द्रोणशत्रुर्महेष्वासो विव्याध निशितै: शरै:,राजन! इसी प्रकार कर्णने भी समरांगणमें विषधर सर्पोके समान विषैले बाणोंद्वारा शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले धृष्टद्यम्मको आच्छादित कर दिया। फिर द्रोणशत्रु महाधनुर्धर धष्टद्युम्नने भी कर्णको पैने बाणोंसे घायल कर दिया
sañjaya uvāca |
chādayāmāsa samare śarair āśīviṣopamaiḥ |
droṇaśatrur maheṣvāso vivyādha niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: In the thick of battle, the great archer—Dhṛṣṭadyumna, slayer of Droṇa—was covered over with sharp arrows like venomous serpents. Yet that same mighty bowman struck back, piercing his foe with keen shafts, for in war’s relentless exchange valor and wounding answer one another without pause.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh symmetry of battlefield dharma: in a kṣatriya conflict, prowess is measured by endurance and response—one is struck, yet must act without collapse, as action and consequence rapidly return upon each other.
Sañjaya describes an exchange of missile-fire: Dhṛṣṭadyumna, famed as Droṇa’s slayer and a great archer, is showered with arrows likened to venomous snakes, and he in turn pierces his opponent with sharp arrows.