Shloka 133
Adhyāya 40 (Book 7, Droṇa-parva): Abhimanyu’s Rapid Advance and Battlefield Disruption
दुःशासनो महाराज कश्मलं चाविशन्महत् | धनुषको कानतक खींचकर चलाये हुए उन बाणोंद्वारा, जिनका स्पर्श अग्निके समान दाहक था, गहरी चोट खाकर दु:ःशासन व्यथित हो रथकी बैठकमें बैठ गया। महाराज! उस समय उसे भारी मूर्च्छा आ गयी
sañjaya uvāca | duḥśāsano mahārāja kaśmalaṃ cāviśan mahat |
Sanjaya berkata: “Wahai Raja, Duhshasana diliputi kelesuan dan keguncangan yang besar. Dihunjam dalam oleh anak-anak panah yang ditarik dari busur lalu dilepaskan—yang sentuhannya membakar laksana api—ia dilanda nyeri, merosot ke tempat duduk keretanya, dan pada saat itu juga jatuh dalam pingsan yang berat.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh immediacy of karmic consequence and the fragility of bodily power in war: even a proud warrior can be suddenly brought low by pain and shock. It also highlights the ethical gravity of the battlefield, where violence returns violence and arrogance collapses into helplessness.
During the fighting, Duhshasana is struck hard by arrows released from a bow; their touch is described as burning like fire. Overcome by pain and distress (kaśmala), he slumps into the chariot-seat and falls into a deep swoon, as Sanjaya reports to King Dhritarashtra.