Shloka 47
संछादिता महाराज पाण्डवानां महारथा: । महाराज! राधापुत्रके धनुषसे छूटे हुए सुवर्णभूषित बाणोंद्वारा समस्त पाण्डव महारथी आच्छादित हो गये ।। ते पाण्डवेया: समरे राधेयेन पुन: पुन:
sañchāditā mahārāja pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathāḥ | mahārāja! rādhāputrake dhanuṣaś ca chūṭe huye suvarṇabhūṣita-bāṇair dvārā samasta-pāṇḍava-mahārathino 'cchāditā abhavan || te pāṇḍaveyāḥ samare rādheyena punaḥ punaḥ
Sañjaya said: O King, the great chariot-warriors of the Pāṇḍavas were completely covered over. O Mahārāja, from the bow of Rādhā’s son (Karna) there flew golden-ornamented arrows, and by them all the Pāṇḍava champions were enveloped on every side. Thus, in the battle, those sons of Pāṇḍu were again and again assailed by Rādheya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the relentless force of battle and the kṣatriya ideal of steadfast engagement: prowess and persistence can overwhelm even great warriors, reminding readers that in war outcomes often hinge on sustained effort and tactical pressure rather than mere reputation.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa (Rādheya), shooting a dense volley of gold-adorned arrows from his bow, repeatedly blankets and presses the Pāṇḍava champions on the battlefield, visually portraying their being ‘covered’ by the arrow-shower.