Shloka 99
अध्याय १४८ — कर्णप्रभावः, धृष्टद्युम्नस्य विरथता, तथा घटोत्कच-आह्वानम्
Chapter 148: Karṇa’s Pressure, Dhṛṣṭadyumna Unhorsed, and the Summoning of Ghaṭotkaca
गाढविद्धावुभौ कृत्वा शरै: स्वस्नीयमातुलौ । अर्जुनो जयतां श्रेष्ठो द्रौणिशारद्वतो रणे,विजयी वीरोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुनने रणभूमिमें मामा-भानजे कृपाचार्य और अभश्वत्थामा दोनोंको बाणोंद्वारा बीधकर गहरी चोट पहुँचायी
gāḍhaviddhāv ubhau kṛtvā śaraiḥ svasnīyamātulau | arjuno jayatāṃ śreṣṭho drauṇiśāradvatō raṇe vijayī ||
Sañjaya said: Arjuna—foremost among victors—struck both of them with arrows, inflicting deep wounds upon his own nephew and maternal uncle, Aśvatthāmā (son of Droṇa) and Kṛpa Śāradvata, and thus prevailed in that battle. The verse underscores the grim ethic of Kurukṣetra: even revered kin and elders become opponents when one’s chosen side and duty in war demand decisive action.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh moral tension of dharma in war: a warrior may be compelled to fight even close relatives when allegiance and duty (kṣatriya-dharma) place them on opposing sides. It also cautions that victory in such a context is inseparable from painful ethical cost.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, excelling in battle, shoots and grievously wounds two Kaurava-side champions—Aśvatthāmā (Droṇa’s son) and Kṛpa—who are described through their kin-relations to him (nephew and maternal uncle), and Arjuna emerges victorious in that encounter.