Shloka 44
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
कर्णस्य शरजालौघैर्भीमसेनस्य चो भयो: । अग्निस्फुलिजड्गसंस्पर्शरञ्जोगतिभिराहवे
sañjaya uvāca
karṇasya śarajālaughair bhīmasenasya cobhayoḥ | agnisphuliṅgasaṃsparśarañjogatibhir āhave ||
Sañjaya dit : Dans cette bataille, les torrents serrés de flèches décochés par Karṇa et par Bhīmasena—des deux côtés—couraient et frappaient comme des averses d’étincelles; leurs trajectoires fulgurantes luisaient lorsqu’elles se rencontraient et se frôlaient, faisant du champ un spectacle embrasé de fureur partagée et de résolution inflexible.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the relentless intensity of kṣatriya combat: when warriors are bound by rivalry and duty, their actions can become a consuming force. It implicitly cautions that martial prowess, though admirable as valor, also magnifies destruction when driven by enmity.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa and Bhīmasena exchanging overwhelming volleys of arrows. The arrows’ swift, flashing trajectories are compared to fire-sparks, emphasizing the ferocity and brilliance of their duel on the battlefield.