Shloka 576
अजिशीर्षे प्रातःसंध्यायां संग्रामवर्णनम् / Dawn-Transition Battle at Ajiśīrṣa
Chapter 161
छादयामास बाणौघचै: फाल्गुनं कृतहस्तवत् । उस बाणसे घायल हुए कर्णके हाथसे धनुष छूटकर गिर पड़ा। फिर आधे निमेषमें ही उस महाबली वीरने पुनः वह धनुष लेकर सिद्धहस्त योद्धाकी भाँति बाणसमूहोंकी वर्षा करके अर्जुनको ढक दिया
sañjaya uvāca | chādayāmāsa bāṇaughaiḥ phālgunaṃ kṛtahastavat |
Dengan derasnya hujan anak panah ia menutupi Phālguna (Arjuna), laksana pemanah yang telah sempurna terlatih. Tertembus oleh panah-panah itu, busur Karṇa terlepas dari tangannya dan jatuh; namun sebelum setengah kedipan mata berlalu, sang kesatria perkasa meraihnya kembali dan—bagai pemanah mahir—mengguyurkan rentetan panah hingga Arjuna tertutup dari pandangan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in its practical form: even when wounded and momentarily disarmed, a warrior must regain steadiness, recover his weapon, and continue his duty with skill and composure—showing resilience and disciplined resolve rather than panic.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa showering Arjuna with a dense barrage of arrows, effectively hiding him. Karṇa is struck and his bow slips from his hand, but he instantly picks it up again and resumes the arrow-rain with expert speed, sustaining the intensity of the duel.