Shloka 23
कर्णस्य पुत्रो नकुलस्थ राजन् सर्वनश्वानक्षिणोदुत्तमास्त्रै: । वनायुजान् वै नकुलस्य शुभ्रा- नुदग्रगान् हेमजालावनद्धान्
sañjaya uvāca |
karṇasya putro nakulastha rājan sarvaṁ naśvān akṣiṇod uttamāstraiḥ |
vanāyujān vai nakulasya śubhrān udagragān hemajālāvanaddhān ||
Sañjaya said: O King, Karṇa’s son, stationed against Nakula, with superb missiles cut down all of Nakula’s horses—those born in the Vanāyu region, white in color, swift in their charge, and covered with nets of gold.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ruthless efficiency of war: even what is splendid and carefully prepared (royal horses adorned with gold) is quickly annihilated by superior weaponry. Ethically, it points to the escalating destructiveness of battle and the tragic waste of valuable life and resources once dharma-yuddha boundaries are strained by fury and competitive prowess.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa’s son (Vṛṣasena), facing Nakula, uses powerful missiles to cut down all of Nakula’s horses—white, swift steeds from the Vanāyu region, ornamented with golden netting—thereby crippling Nakula’s chariot-mobility in the fight.