Shloka 14
Adhyāya 86: Irāvān’s Lineage, Cavalry Clash, and the Māyā-Duel Ending in Irāvān’s Fall
विव्याध निशितैस्तूर्ण शरै: संनतपर्वभि: | तावेन॑ प्रत्यविध्येतां समरे चित्रयोधिनौ
vivyādha niśitais tūrṇaṃ śaraiḥ saṃnata-parvabhiḥ | tāv enaṃ pratyavidhyetāṃ samare citra-yodhinau ||
Sañjaya berkata: Irāvān, murka, dengan cepat memanah dua bersaudara Vinda dan Anuvinda—yang rupawan laksana para dewa—dengan anak panah tajam beruas melengkung. Keduanya, kesatria yang termasyhur karena siasat tempur yang beragam dan penuh seni, segera membalas di medan laga dan menembus Irāvān dengan panah mereka. Pertemuan para pahlawan itu pun menjadi amat menegangkan; luka dibalas luka, mengikuti irama perang yang tak mengenal belas kasihan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya battlefield ethic of immediate counter-action: injury is answered with a measured, skillful response. It underscores martial discipline and reciprocity in combat rather than moral approval of violence itself.
Irāvān rapidly wounds the two brothers Vind(a) and Anuvinda with sharp, bent-jointed arrows. Both brothers—renowned for their striking, varied fighting—then retaliate and pierce Irāvān in the ongoing battle.