Shloka 17
तां गदां बहुभि: कर्ण: सुपुड्खै: सुप्रवेजितै: । प्रत्यविध्यत् पुनश्चान्यै: सा भीम॑ पुनराव्रजत्
tāṃ gadāṃ bahubhiḥ karṇaḥ supuṅkhaiḥ supravejitaiḥ | pratyavidhyat punaś cānyaiḥ sā bhīmaṃ punar āvrajat ||
Sañjaya dit : Karṇa frappa cette massue encore et encore de nombreuses flèches—bien empennées et lancées avec grande force—pourtant la massue, bien que freinée par ses traits, revint vers Bhīma. La scène souligne l’élan inexorable du combat : l’adresse et la puissance se heurtent à une volonté inflexible, et même des entraves répétées détournent malaisément une attaque déterminée.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the ethics of the epic battlefield, the verse highlights steadfastness and the limits of mere technical countermeasures: even repeated, forceful resistance may not stop an action propelled by strong intent and momentum. It invites reflection on perseverance and the seriousness of violent escalation once war is fully engaged.
As Sañjaya narrates, Karṇa repeatedly shoots powerful, well-feathered arrows at the incoming mace, trying to check or deflect it. Despite being struck by many arrows, the mace continues its course and comes back toward Bhīma, indicating the ongoing exchange of heavy weapons in the duel.