Shloka 24
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
तावभ्यधावतां तीक्ष्णौ द्वावप्येनं महारथम् | शरौघान् सम्यगस्यन्तौ जीमूती सलिलं यथा,राजन! जैसे विशाल वनमें दो व्याप्र किसी एक हाथीको मार डालनेकी इच्छासे उसकी ओर दौड़ें, उसी प्रकार तीखे स्वभाववाले वे दोनों भाई इन महारथी नकुलपर अपने बाणसमूहोंकी वर्षा करने लगे, मानो दो मेघ पानीकी धारावाहिक वृष्टि करते हों
tāv abhyadhāvatāṁ tīkṣṇau dvāv apy enaṁ mahāratham | śaraughān samyag asyantau jīmūtī salilaṁ yathā ||
Sañjaya said: Those two fierce warriors rushed at that great chariot-fighter and, aiming well, poured volleys of arrows upon him—like two rain-clouds releasing streams of water.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how disciplined aim (samyak) and coordinated aggression can become overwhelming force; ethically, it reflects the harsh reality of dharma-yuddha where prowess and duty operate within a violent arena, and Sañjaya’s simile frames the act as natural and unstoppable like rain.
Two fierce warriors charge a single great chariot-fighter (contextually Nakula) and shower him with well-aimed volleys of arrows, compared to two clouds pouring down continuous rain.