Shloka 32
अथास्य तूर्ण चरतो नरेन्द्र खड्गेन चित्र नकुलस्य तस्य । महेषुभिव््यधमत् कर्णपूुत्रो महाहवे चर्म सहस्रतारम्
athāsya tūrṇa-carato narendra khaḍgena citraṃ nakulasya tasya | maheṣubhir vyadhamat karṇaputro mahāhave carma sahasra-tāram ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Oh rey, cuando Nakula se movía con rapidez, exhibiendo un prodigioso juego de espada, el hijo de Karṇa, en aquella gran batalla, hizo pedazos con sus poderosas flechas el escudo de Nakula, guarnecido con mil remaches. La escena muestra cómo la destreza y las maniobras audaces se enfrentan a la implacable fuerza de las armas arrojadizas, donde el valor se prueba sin tregua bajo la dura ley de la guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the battlefield reality that individual brilliance (swift movement and intricate sword technique) must still contend with overwhelming force and tactical advantage (mighty arrows). Ethically, it reflects kṣatriya-dharma: valor and skill are exercised within the grim duty of combat, where outcomes can turn on weapon-range and power rather than artistry alone.
Nakula advances rapidly, exhibiting striking sword maneuvers. Karṇa’s son responds by firing powerful arrows that break Nakula’s ornate, ‘thousand-studded’ shield during the intense engagement.