Shloka 31
Somadatta’s Kṣātra-Dharma Accusation; Night Combat, Māyā, and the Fall of Ghaṭotkaca
Droṇa-parva, Adhyāya 131
चिक्षेप च पुनर्बाणानू शतशो5थ सहस्रश: । स शरैररदितस्तेन कर्णेन दृढ्धन्विना । धनुर्ज्यामच्छिनत् तूर्ण भीमस्तस्य क्षुरेण ह
sañjaya uvāca |
cikṣepa ca punar bāṇān śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ |
sa śarair arditas tena karṇena dṛḍha-dhanvinā |
dhanur-jyām acchinat tūrṇaṃ bhīmas tasya kṣureṇa ha ||
Sañjaya dit : De nouveau il décocha des flèches, par centaines puis par milliers. Frappé durement par ces traits de Karṇa, l’archer au bras ferme, Bhīma trancha aussitôt la corde de son arc d’une flèche au tranchant de rasoir.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violent conflict, skill and judgment can express a form of restraint: disabling an opponent’s weapon (cutting the bowstring) checks aggression without immediately aiming at fatal harm, aligning with disciplined kṣatriya conduct and tactical prudence.
Karṇa showers Bhīma with a massive volley of arrows. Though struck, Bhīma responds decisively by severing Karṇa’s bowstring with a razor-edged arrow, interrupting Karṇa’s attack and shifting the advantage.