Shloka 34
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 54 — Missile-Exchange and Tactical Redirection
Arjuna, Aśvatthāman, Karṇa
कर्णकी बाणवर्षासे आहत हुए महात्मा अर्जुनने अतिमानुष पराक्रम प्रकट किया। जैसे सूर्य अपनी किरणोंके समूहसे समस्त संसारको आच्छादित कर देते हैं, उसी प्रकार उन्होंने बाणसमुदायसे कर्णके रथको ढक दिया ।।
sa hastinevābhihato gajendraḥ pragṛhya bhallān niśitān niṣaṅgāt | ākārṇapūrṇaṃ ca dhanuḥ vikṛṣya vivyādha gātreṣv atha sūtaputram ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Entonces Arjuna—como un elefante soberano que, aun herido por su rival, se recoge para devolver el golpe—sacó de su carcaj flechas bhalla, afiladas como navajas. Tensó el arco hasta la oreja en un tiro pleno y atravesó los miembros del hijo del auriga (Karna).
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior ideal of steadiness under attack: one bears the opponent’s blow without losing composure, then responds with disciplined, skillful action. The elephant simile emphasizes resilience and controlled strength rather than panic or cruelty.
In the battle episode, Arjuna, having been struck, draws sharp bhalla arrows from his quiver, pulls his bow to a full ear-draw, and wounds Karna (called Sūtaputra) in the limbs—showing superior archery and momentum in the duel.