Shloka 62
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
विव्याध च नरश्रेष्ठो नाराचैर्बहुभिस्त्वरन्
vivyādha ca naraśreṣṭho nārācair bahubhis tvaran
Sañjaya said: Then that foremost of men, acting with swift resolve, pierced his foe with many nārāca arrows—an image of the war’s relentless momentum, where prowess and urgency drive the combat onward.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the battlefield ethic of decisive action: in war, a kṣatriya’s prowess is expressed through swift, effective execution of duty, even as the narrative implicitly reminds the listener of the harsh, escalating nature of violence.
Sañjaya reports that a leading warrior (named by the surrounding verses) quickly shoots and pierces the opponent with numerous nārāca arrows, intensifying the combat sequence.