Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
ब्राह्मणस्यांसदेशे स निपपात महाद्युति: । स विह्वलो महाराज शरवेगेन संयुगे
brāhmaṇasyāṃsadeśe sa nipapāta mahādyutiḥ | sa vihvalo mahārāja śaravegena saṃyuge ||
Sañjaya dit : Ce guerrier au grand éclat tomba sur la région de l’épaule d’un brahmane. Ô roi, au cœur du combat, il demeura hébété et secoué par la violence de la flèche.
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores the fragility of power in war and the ethical shadow of battle: a single arrow can render even a ‘radiant’ hero helpless, and the turmoil of combat can spill over onto those outside the fight (here, a Brahmin), reminding readers of dharma’s concern for restraint and the protection of the non-combatant.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that an illustrious warrior, struck with great force, collapses in the midst of battle and falls onto the shoulder-region of a Brahmin, lying stunned due to the arrow’s impact.