Shloka 19
Adhyāya 140: Rātriyuddhe Droṇa-prāpti-prayatnaḥ
Night engagement and the attempt to reach Droṇa
कर्णपाण्डवनिर्मुक्तिनिर्मुक्तिरिव पन्नगै: प्रासतोमरसंघातै: खड्गैश्न सपरश्वधै:
karṇapāṇḍavanirmuktinir-muktir iva pannagaiḥ prāsatomarasaṅghātaiḥ khaḍgaiś ca sa-paraśvadhaiḥ
Sañjaya dit : Pris pour cible par Karṇa et les Pāṇḍava, il se dégageait encore et encore — tel un serpent qui s’échappe — au milieu des volées de lances et de javelots tomara, parmi les coups d’épée et les haches.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of war: survival and resolve depend on alertness and skill amid overwhelming danger. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya world where steadfastness under threat is praised, even as the imagery implicitly reminds the listener of war’s relentless violence.
Sañjaya describes a warrior (implied by context) repeatedly slipping free from the attacks of Karṇa and the Pāṇḍavas, compared to a snake escaping capture, while being assailed by dense volleys of spears and javelins and by sword and axe blows.