Shloka 9
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 54 — Missile-Exchange and Tactical Redirection
Arjuna, Aśvatthāman, Karṇa
तस्मिंस्तु युद्धे तुमुले प्रवृत्ते पार्थ विकर्णोडतिरथं रथेन । विपाठवर्षेण कुरुप्रवीरो भीमेन भीमानुजमाससाद
tasmiṁstu yuddhe tumule pravṛtte pārtha vikarṇo ’tirathaṁ rathena | vipāṭhavārṣeṇa kurupravīro bhīmena bhīmānujam āsasāda ||
Cuando estalló aquella batalla tumultuosa, Vikarna—el más preclaro héroe de la estirpe Kuru—subió a su carro y, derramando una feroz lluvia de flechas vipāṭha, cargó contra Arjuna, el hermano menor de Bhīma, gran guerrero de carro (atiratha).
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds kṣatriya conduct in war: once battle is joined, warriors display resolve, skill, and courage. Ethically, it reflects how duty and allegiance can intensify conflict even among famed heroes, emphasizing disciplined action within the harsh framework of battlefield dharma.
As the fierce battle begins, Vikarna, a leading Kuru fighter, rides forth on his chariot and showers Arjuna with a heavy volley of vipāṭha arrows, directly engaging him in combat.