Shloka 21
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 109 — Karṇa–Bhīma Yuddha and Durmukha’s Fall (कर्णभीमयुद्धम्; दुर्मुखवधः)
त॑ रणे रभसं दृष्टवा सहदेवं महाबलम् | दुर्मुखो नवभिर्बाणैस्ताडयामास भारत,भारत! रणक्षेत्रमें महाबली सहदेवका वेग बढ़ता देख दुर्मुखने नौ बाणोंद्वारा उन्हें घायल कर दिया
taṁ raṇe rabhasaṁ dṛṣṭvā sahadevaṁ mahābalam | durmukho navabhir bāṇais tāḍayāmāsa bhārata ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the mighty Sahadeva surging forward with fierce momentum in the battle, Durmukha struck him on the field with nine arrows, wounding him. The scene underscores how, in war, valor invites immediate counterforce, and even the righteous must endure injury while holding to duty amid violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reciprocity of warfare: courage and forward momentum draw immediate resistance. Ethically, it reflects kṣatriya-dharma—enduring injury and continuing one’s duty without losing resolve, even when violence is unavoidable.
On the battlefield, Sahadeva advances powerfully. Durmukha notices this surge and counters by shooting nine arrows, striking and wounding Sahadeva. Sañjaya reports this to Dhṛtarāṣṭra.