Shloka 13
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
छादयामास समरे शरैराशीविषोपमै: । द्रोणशत्रुर्महेष्वासो विव्याध निशितै: शरै:
sañjaya uvāca |
chādayāmāsa samare śarair āśīviṣopamaiḥ |
droṇaśatrur maheṣvāso vivyādha niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Au plus fort du combat, le grand archer—Dhṛṣṭadyumna, le meurtrier de Droṇa—fut couvert de flèches acérées, pareilles à des serpents venimeux. Pourtant, ce même maître de l’arc transperça à son tour son adversaire de traits aigus, montrant que, dans la réciprocité implacable de la guerre, vaillance et blessure se répondent sans répit.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh symmetry of battlefield dharma: in a kṣatriya conflict, prowess is measured by endurance and response—one is struck, yet must act without collapse, as action and consequence rapidly return upon each other.
Sañjaya describes an exchange of missile-fire: Dhṛṣṭadyumna, famed as Droṇa’s slayer and a great archer, is showered with arrows likened to venomous snakes, and he in turn pierces his opponent with sharp arrows.