Shloka 12
Bhīṣma–Karṇa Saṃvāda on the Śaraśayyā (भीष्म–कर्ण संवादः शरशय्यायाम्)
क्रीडमानौ रथोदारौ चित्ररूपौ व्यदृश्यताम् | उन समस्त रथियोंके बीचमें खड़े होकर खेल-से करते हुए भरतभूषण उदार महारथी कुन्तीकुमार भीमसेन और अर्जुन विचित्र दिखायी देते थे || ११ ह || आमिषेप्सू गवां मध्ये सिंहाविव मदोत्कटौ,एकैकं त्रिभिरानर्च्छत् कड़ुकबर्हिणवाजितै: । उसके बाद सुशर्मा और कृपाचार्यको भी तीन-तीन बाणोंसे बींध डाला। राजेन्द्र! फिर समरांगणमें प्राग्ज्योतिषनरेश भगदत्त, सिन्धुराज जयद्रथ, चित्रसेन, विकर्ण, कृतवर्मा, दुर्मीषण तथा महारथी विन्द और अनुविन्द--इनमैंसे प्रत्येकको गीधकी पाँखसे युक्त तीन- तीन बाणोंद्वारा विशेष पीड़ा दी जैसे मांसकी इच्छा रखनेवाले दो मदोन्मत्त सिंह गौओंके झुंडमें खड़े हुए हों, उसी प्रकार भीमसेन और अर्जुन उस रणभूमिमें सुशोभित हो रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca | krīḍamānau rathodārau citrarūpau vyadṛśyatām | āmiṣepsū gavāṁ madhye siṁhāv iva madotkaṭau, ekaikaṁ tribhir ānarcchat kaḍukabarhiṇavājitaiḥ |
Sañjaya said: In the midst of all the chariot-warriors, the two noble lords of chariots—Bhīmasena and Arjuna, the ornaments of the Bhāratas—were seen as if at play, moving with striking, variegated prowess. Like two wildly intoxicated lions standing among a herd of cattle, intent on flesh, each of them singled out opponents and pierced them with three arrows apiece, their shafts fitted with vulture-feathers—thus inflicting sharp distress upon the enemy ranks and displaying the overwhelming momentum of righteous battle-skill.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma expressed as disciplined, decisive martial action: true mastery can look effortless (‘as if playing’), yet it is ethically framed as duty in war—overwhelming force directed with focus rather than chaos.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma and Arjuna standing amid the enemy chariot-warriors, appearing splendid and unstoppable. Using a lion-among-cattle simile, he says they strike individual foes, each being pierced with three arrows, intensifying the pressure on the opposing ranks.