Shloka 19
Śalya’s Objection to Sārathya and Duryodhana’s Conciliation (शल्यमन्यु-प्रशमनम् / Sārathyāṅgīkāra)
सोअन्यत् कार्मुकमादाय समरे वेगवत्तरम् । नकुलस्य ततो बाणै: सर्वतोडवारयद् दिश:,तब कर्णने समरांगणमें दूसरा अत्यन्त वेगशाली धनुष लेकर नकुलके चारों ओर सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंको बाणोंसे आच्छादित कर दिया
so 'nyat kārmukam ādāya samare vegavattaram | nakulasya tato bāṇaiḥ sarvato 'vārayad diśaḥ ||
Sañjaya dijo: Entonces Karṇa tomó otro arco, de ímpetu aún más veloz en la batalla, y con sus flechas cercó a Nakula por todos lados, cerrándole todas las direcciones. Así se imponía el empuje implacable de la guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, technical superiority and tactical pressure can constrain an opponent’s agency. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension: kṣatriya duty demands skill and resolve, yet the same skill intensifies violence and narrows the space for restraint.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa switches to another, faster bow and unleashes a dense volley of arrows, effectively surrounding Nakula and blocking his movement in every direction on the battlefield.