Shloka 12
तस्मिन् विमर्दे रथवाजिनागै- स्तदाभिघातैर्दलिते हि भूतले । ततस्तु पातालतले शयानो नागो<श्वसेन: कृतवैरोडर्जुनेन,राजन्! उस समय घमासान युद्धमें जब रथ, घोड़े और हाथियोंद्वारा सारा भूतल रौंदा जा रहा था, उस समय पातालनिवासी अश्वसेन नामक नाग, जिसने अर्जुनके साथ वैर बाँध रखा था और जो खाण्डवदाहके समय जीवित बचकर क्रोधपूर्वक इस पृथ्वीके भीतर घुस गया था; कर्ण तथा अर्जुनका वह संग्राम देखकर बड़े वेगसे ऊपरको उछला और उस युद्धस्थलमें आ पहुँचा; उसमें ऊपरको उड़नेकी भी शक्ति थी
sañjaya uvāca |
tasmin vimarde rathavājināgais tadābhighātair dalite hi bhūtale |
tatastu pātālatale śayāno nāgo 'śvasenaḥ kṛtavairo 'rjunena rājan |
Sañjaya said: In that crushing melee, when the earth was being trampled and pounded by chariots, horses, and elephants, the serpent Aśvasena—dwelling in the netherworld, lying in Pātāla, and bearing a sworn enmity toward Arjuna—rose up (O King) in response to those impacts. Drawn by the sight of the Karṇa–Arjuna combat, he surged upward with great speed and reached the battlefield, for he possessed the power to fly—seeking an opportunity to repay his ancient grudge.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how unresolved hatred and vows of revenge persist across time and circumstances, even drawing supernatural forces into human conflict. Ethically, it warns that violence breeds further violence, and that personal enmity can distort judgment and escalate war beyond human limits.
During the intense Karṇa–Arjuna battle, the ground is violently churned by chariots, horses, and elephants. The Nāga Aśvasena, who has long nursed enmity toward Arjuna, is stirred in Pātāla by the upheaval and rises swiftly to the battlefield, capable of flight, seeking a chance to strike at Arjuna.