Shloka 37
Bhīṣma–Karṇa Saṃvāda on the Śaraśayyā (भीष्म–कर्ण संवादः शरशय्यायाम्)
अर्जुनस्तु सुशर्माणं विद्ध्वा बहुभिरायसै: । व्यधमत् तस्य तत्सैन्यं महाभ्राणि यथानिल:,इधर अर्जुनने लोहेके बने हुए बहुत-से बाणोंद्वारा सुशर्माको घायल करके जैसे वायु महान् मेघोंको छिजन्न-भिन्न कर देती है, उसी प्रकार उसकी सेनाकी धज्जियाँ उड़ा दीं
arjunas tu suśarmāṇaṃ viddhvā bahubhir āyasaiḥ | vyadhamat tasya tat sainyaṃ mahābhrāṇi yathānilaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Arjuna, having pierced Suśarmā with many iron-shafted arrows, then shattered his forces—just as the wind tears great clouds into fragments. The verse underscores disciplined martial duty: Arjuna’s force is not mere rage, but a focused execution of kṣatriya responsibility amid the moral gravity of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined action in accordance with one’s role: Arjuna’s prowess is portrayed as purposeful and effective, suggesting that in a dharmic framework even fierce combat is to be carried out with focus and responsibility rather than uncontrolled fury.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna wounding Suśarmā with many iron arrows and then breaking up Suśarmā’s troops, using the image of wind shredding massive clouds to convey the speed and overwhelming force of Arjuna’s assault.