Shloka 42
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
द्रौणिस्तदपि राजेन्द्र भल्लै: क्षिप्रं महारथ:,राजेन्द्र! शीघ्रतापूर्वक हाथ चलानेवाले सुदृढ़ आयुधधारी वीर महारथी अअभ्वत्थामाने समरांगणमें अनेक भल्लोंद्वारा रथसे उतरनेके पहले ही धृष्टद्युम्मकी उस ढाल-तलवारको भी काट दिया। यह एक अद्भुत-सी बात हुई
sañjaya uvāca |
drauṇis tad api rājendra bhallaiḥ kṣipraṁ mahārathaḥ |
rājendra śīghratāpūrvaka-hasta-cālanavān sudṛḍhāyudha-dhārī vīra-mahārathī aśvatthāmā samara-aṅgaṇe anekaiḥ bhallaiḥ rathād avarohituṁ pūrvam eva dhṛṣṭadyumnasya tāṁ ḍhāla-tālavāraṁ api ciccheda |
etad adbhutam iva abhavat ||
Sanjaya said: O king, even so, the great chariot-warrior Ashvatthama—swift in action and firm in his weapons—on the battlefield, with many sharp arrows, cut down Dhrishtadyumna’s shield and sword even before he could descend from his chariot. It was a deed that seemed truly astonishing.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary skill and speed in war can abruptly overturn an opponent’s readiness; it also underscores the grim momentum of battle, where prowess intensifies violence and drives the conflict toward harsher consequences.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Ashvatthama, using many broad-headed arrows, swiftly severs Dhrishtadyumna’s shield and sword before Dhrishtadyumna can even get down from his chariot—an act described as astonishing.