Shloka 12
नारायणास्त्र-शमनं द्रौणि-प्रहारश्च
Pacification of the Nārāyaṇāstra and Drauni’s Renewed Assault
प्रतिलभ्य तत: संज्ञां नकुल: पाण्डुनन्दन: । अभ्ययात् सौबल भूयो व्यात्तानन इवान्तक:,इतनेमें ही पाण्डुनन्दन नकुल होशमें आकर मुँह बाये हुए यमराजके समान पुनः सुबलपुत्रका सामना करनेके लिये आगे बढ़े
pratilabhya tataḥ saṁjñāṁ nakulaḥ pāṇḍunandanaḥ | abhyayāt saubalaṁ bhūyo vyāttānana ivāntakaḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : «Revenant à lui, Nakula, fils de Pāṇḍu, s’avança de nouveau pour affronter le fils de Subala, la bouche béante comme la Mort elle-même.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in svadharma: even after losing consciousness, a warrior regains composure and returns to rightful duty. Ethically, it presents resilience and recommitment to responsibility in the face of fear and mortality.
Nakula recovers consciousness and advances again to face Saubala (Śakuni). The simile ‘like Antaka (Death) with gaping mouth’ intensifies the scene, portraying Nakula’s renewed ferocity and the lethal stakes of the encounter.