Shloka 118
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
तमन्तरिक्षे नाराचं द्रौणिश्षिच्छेद पत्रिणा
tam antarikṣe nārācaṃ drauṇiś ciccheda patriṇā
Sañjaya dit : Alors qu’elle était encore en plein vol, le fils de Droṇa (Aśvatthāman) trancha cette flèche de fer d’un trait empenné—image de maîtrise guerrière, où la perception fulgurante et l’adresse disciplinée tranchent vie et mort en un instant.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how trained attention and mastery of technique can neutralize danger before it lands—suggesting that in crisis, disciplined skill and alertness are decisive, even amid the moral turbulence of war.
Sañjaya describes a combat moment: an iron missile (nārāca) flying through the air is intercepted and cut apart by Aśvatthāman using a fletched arrow, demonstrating superior archery and quick reaction.