Shloka 4
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
मनुष्योंमें सिंहके समान पराक्रमी वीरोंने विपक्षी पुरुषसिंहोंके मस्तकोंको काट- काटकर उनके द्वारा धरतीको पाटने लगे। उनके वे मस्तक पूर्ण चन्द्रमा और सूर्यके समान कान्तिमान् तथा कमलोंके समान सुगन्धित थे ।। अर्धचन्द्रैस्तथा भल्लै: क्षुरप्रैरसिपट्टिशै: । परश्ववैश्वाप्यकृन्तन्नुत्तमाज़नि युध्यताम्,अर्द्धचन्द्र, भल््ल, क्षुरप्र, खड्ग, पट्टिश और फरसोंद्वारा वे योद्धाओंके मस्तक काटने लगे तत्र भारत कर्णेन नाराचैस्ताडिता गजा: । नेदुः सेदुश्न मम्लुश्न बग्रमुश्न दिशो दश भरतनन्दन! वहाँ कर्णके चलाये हुए नाराचोंकी मार खाकर झुंड-के-झुंड हाथी चिग्घाड़ने, पीड़ासे कराहने, मलिन होने और दसों दिशाओं में चक्कर काटने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | ardha-candrais tathā bhallaiḥ kṣuraprair asi-paṭṭiśaiḥ | paraśvaiś cāpy akṛntan n-uttamāṅgāni yudhyatām || tatra bhārata karṇena nārācais tāḍitā gajāḥ | neduḥ seduś ca mamluś ca bhramamuś ca diśo daśa ||
Sanjaya said: With crescent-headed shafts, broad-headed arrows, razor-edged missiles, swords, spears, and axes, the warriors in that battle kept severing the heads of their opponents. There, O descendant of Bharata, struck by the iron darts loosed by Karna, whole herds of elephants trumpeted loudly, groaned in pain, grew faint and distressed, and reeled about in all ten directions. The scene underscores the terrible momentum of war: prowess and weapon-skill achieve immediate victory, yet the cost is measured in suffering and disorientation that spreads across the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of martial excellence: skill and valor can dominate the battlefield, yet the immediate ethical reality is the spread of pain and confusion among living beings. It invites reflection on the heavy human (and animal) cost that accompanies kṣatriya warfare, even when performed as ‘duty’ within the epic’s world.
Sanjaya describes intense fighting where combatants sever opponents’ heads using various weapons. He then focuses on Karna’s effectiveness: his iron darts strike groups of elephants, causing them to trumpet, groan, weaken, and stagger in all directions across the battlefield.