Shloka 24
कर्ण-पाण्डव-संमर्दः — Karṇa and Arjuna’s Intensified Engagement
महारथो महाबाहुर्महाबाणैर्महाबल: । विव्याधाधिरथिभ्भीमं नवभिर्निशितैस्तदा,महारथी महाबाहु महाबली अधिरथपुत्र कर्णने उस समय नौ तीखे महाबाणोंसे भीमसेनको घायल कर दिया
sañjaya uvāca |
mahāratho mahābāhur mahābāṇair mahābalaḥ |
vivyādhādhirathir bhīmaṁ navabhir niśitais tadā ||
Sañjaya said: Then the mighty and long-armed great chariot-warrior—Adhirathi (Karna), of immense strength—pierced Bhīma with nine razor-sharp, powerful arrows. The scene underscores the relentless escalation of skill and force in battle, where prowess is displayed through measured, targeted strikes rather than indiscriminate violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya-world ethic of disciplined martial excellence: power is expressed through precise, skillful action in the midst of duty-bound conflict, illustrating how war in the epic is narrated as a test of prowess and resolve rather than mere chaos.
Sañjaya reports that Karna (called Adhirathi), a foremost warrior, strikes Bhīma with nine sharp arrows, wounding him during the intense fighting of the Droṇa Parva.