Shloka 22
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
इत्युक्त्वा सुभृशं वीरं शीघ्रकृन्निशितै: शरै: । पार्षत॑ छादयामास घोररूपै: सुतेजनै:
ity uktvā subhṛśaṃ vīraṃ śīghrakṛn niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | pārṣataḥ chādayāmāsa ghorarūpaiḥ sutejanaiḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Ayant parlé ainsi, il le criblait aussitôt d’une grêle de flèches acérées, couvrant le fils de Pṛṣata de traits terribles et flamboyants — image d’une volonté guerrière implacable, où la parole se change sur-le-champ en acte sur le champ de bataille.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of decisive action: words are immediately followed by swift execution in battle. Ethically, it underscores how martial duty in the epic often manifests as relentless, skillful violence directed toward an opponent, emphasizing resolve and capability rather than hesitation.
After speaking, the attacker rapidly releases a dense volley of sharp arrows, overwhelming and ‘covering’ Pārṣata (Dhṛṣṭadyumna) with dreadful, blazing shafts—depicting an intense exchange in the Karṇa Parva battle sequence.