Shloka 21
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 19 — Saṃśaptaka–Trigarta Assault and Aindra-astra Counter
मर्मभेदिभिरत्युग्रैर्बाणैरग्निशिखोपमै: । स्मयन्नभ्यहनद् द्रौणि: पाण्ड्यमाचार्यसत्तम:
marmabhedibhir atyugrair bāṇair agniśikhopamaiḥ | smayann abhyahanad drauṇiḥ pāṇḍyam ācāryasattamaḥ ||
संजय बोले—तब आचार्यों में श्रेष्ठ द्रोणपुत्र अश्वत्थामा मुसकराते हुए अग्निशिखा के समान दहकते, अत्यन्त उग्र और मर्मभेदी बाणों से पाण्ड्यराज पर प्रहार करने लगा।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension of war: extraordinary martial skill can coexist with a disturbing emotional detachment (smiling while inflicting grievous wounds), prompting reflection on how dharma is strained and tested in battlefield conduct.
Sañjaya reports that Aśvatthāman, famed as Droṇa’s son and a leading warrior, attacks the Pāṇḍya king, wounding him with extremely fierce arrows described as piercing vital points and blazing like fire.