Shloka 14
Kṛtavarmā–Sātyaki Chariot Duel and Kaurava Morale Shock (कृतवर्म-सात्यकि-द्वैरथम्)
सततं द्विपेन्द्रे सहसा पतन्त- मविध्यदन्निप्रतिमै: पृषत्कैः । कर्मारधौतैर्निशितैज्वलद्धि- नरिाचमुख्यैस्त्रिभिरुग्रवेगै:,उस नागराजको सहसा आते देख धृष्टद्युम्नने अग्निके समान प्रज्वलित, कारीगरके साफ किये हुए, तेजधारवाले, तीन भयंकर वेगशाली उत्तम नाराचोंद्वारा घायल कर दिया
sa-tataṁ dvipendre sahasā patantam avidhyad agnipratimaiḥ pṛṣatkaiḥ | karmāra-dhautair niśitaiḥ jvalad-dhīnarācaiḥ mukhyais tribhir ugra-vegaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: As that lordly elephant came charging in suddenly, Dhṛṣṭadyumna struck it at once with three foremost nārāca arrows—keen-edged, burnished by the smith, and blazing like fire—shot with terrible force. The scene reveals the battle’s relentless fury, where skill and swift action decide life and death, even against a mighty creature driven into the fray.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the battlefield ethic of decisive action (kṣātra-dharma): when danger rushes in, hesitation can be fatal. It also reflects the Mahābhārata’s sober view of war—prowess and craftsmanship (well-forged weapons) amplify destruction, reminding readers that skill is morally weighty when used in violence.
Sañjaya narrates that a powerful elephant suddenly charges, and Dhṛṣṭadyumna immediately wounds it with three excellent nārāca arrows—sharp, smith-polished, and fire-like—shot with great force.