ते वर्म हेमविकृतं भित्त्वा राज्ञ: शिलाशिता:
te varma hemavikṛtaṃ bhittvā rājñaḥ śilāśitāḥ
Anak panah bermata batu itu menembus zirah sang raja yang dihias emas, merobek perlindungannya.
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores the battlefield truth that external splendor and protection (gold-worked armor) cannot guarantee safety; in war, duty-driven violence and the momentum of fate can overwhelm even royal defenses, reminding readers of the fragility of worldly safeguards.
Sañjaya describes a combat moment where stone-tipped missiles/shafts pierce a king’s gold-adorned armor, indicating a successful, forceful strike against a prominent warrior amid the Karṇa Parva battle.