Shloka 12
Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
कर्णकक्षविषाणेषु अन्तरोष्ठेषु चैव ह मर्मस्वड्रेषु चाहत्यापातयत् समरे गजान्,अब अर्जुन युद्धभूमिमें गजराजोंके कान, कक्ष, दाँत, निचले ओठ तथा अन्य मर्मस्थानोंमें बाण मारकर उन्हें धराशायी करने लगे
karṇakakṣaviṣāṇeṣu antarōṣṭheṣu caiva ha marmasv aḍreṣu cāhatyāpātayat samare gajān
Waiśampāyana berkata: Di tengah pertempuran, Arjuna menghantam gajah-gajah pada titik-titik rawan—telinga, sisi tubuh dekat ketiak, gading, bibir bawah, dan marma lainnya—hingga, terluka pada marma, gajah-gajah besar itu roboh di medan laga.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh realism of dharma in warfare: a warrior’s responsibility is to neutralize danger effectively. Targeting marma-points shows disciplined skill aimed at ending the threat swiftly, rather than prolonging suffering or fighting for mere spectacle.
During the battle episode in Virāṭa Parva, Arjuna shoots arrows at elephants, striking their ears, flanks, tusks, lower lips, and other vital spots, causing the great elephants to fall on the battlefield.