Shloka 39
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
धृष्टझ्ुम्नस्तु समरे द्रौणेश्चिच्छेद कार्मुकम् । तदपास्य भनुद्रौणिरन्यदादाय कार्मुकम्,हयान् सूतं रथं चैव निमेषाद् व्यधमच्छरै: । धष्टद्युम्नने समरांगणमें अश्वत्थामाके धनुषको काट डाला। राजेन्द्र! तब वेगवान् अश्वत्थामाने उस कटे हुए धनुषको फेंककर दूसरा धनुष और विषधर सर्पोके समान भयंकर बाण हाथमें लेकर उनके द्वारा पलक मारते-मारते धृष्टद्युम्नके धनुष, शक्ति, गदा, ध्वज, अश्व, सारथि एवं रथको तहस-नहस कर दिया
dhṛṣṭadyumnas tu samare drauṇeś ciccheda kārmukam | tad apāsya bhanu-drauṇir anyad ādāya kārmukam, hayān sūtaṁ rathaṁ caiva nimeṣād vyadhamac charaiḥ |
Sañjaya said: In the thick of battle, Dhṛṣṭadyumna cut down Aśvatthāman’s bow. Casting aside the severed weapon, the radiant son of Droṇa instantly seized another bow and, with a swift shower of arrows, in a blink struck down Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s horses, charioteer, and chariot.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly warfare turns: even when a warrior suffers a setback (his bow cut), determination and skill can produce immediate retaliation. Ethically, it points to the tragic logic of battle—success is measured by disabling the opponent’s supports (horses, charioteer, chariot), showing how violence rapidly intensifies rather than resolves conflict.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna severs Aśvatthāman’s bow. Aśvatthāman throws it away, takes up another bow, and in an instant showers arrows that destroy Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s chariot-team and chariot apparatus (horses, charioteer, and chariot), turning the exchange decisively.