Shloka 33
त॑ चायसं निशितं तीक्ष्णधारं विकोशमुग्रं गुरुभारसाहम् । द्विषच्छरीरान्तकरं सुघोर- माधुन्वत: सर्पमिवोग्ररूपम्
taṁ cāyasaṁ niśitaṁ tīkṣṇadhāraṁ vikośam ugraṁ gurubhārasāham | dviṣaccharīrāntakaraṁ sughoram ādhunvataḥ sarpam ivograrūpam ||
Sañjaya said: Nakula was brandishing a sword of iron—keen, razor-edged, drawn from its scabbard, formidable, able to bear heavy impact—terrible to behold, like a fierce serpent in motion, and capable of bringing an end to the bodies of foes. Yet Vṛṣasena, equal to facing enemies, swiftly shattered that sword into pieces with six exceedingly rapid, sharp-pointed arrows; and after cutting down the weapon, he struck Nakula’s chest again with blazing, piercing shafts, dealing a deep wound.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh logic of kṣatriya warfare: survival and victory depend on skillfully disabling the opponent’s weapon and then acting decisively. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension—dharma in war is constrained by duty and circumstance, yet the violence remains stark and consequential.
Sañjaya describes Nakula wielding a terrifying iron sword. Vṛṣasena counters with six swift, sharp arrows that shatter the sword, and then he wounds Nakula in the chest with further blazing, piercing arrows.