Shloka 17
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
विव्याध चैनं समरे नाराचैस्तत्र सप्तभि: । त॑ प्रत्यविध्यच्छैनेय: शरैहेमपरिष्कृतै:,साथ ही समरांगणमें सात नाराचोंद्वारा उन्हें घायल कर दिया। तब सात्यकिने भी सुवर्णभूषित बाणोंसे कर्णको घायल करके बदला चुकाया
vivyādha cainaṃ samare nārācais tatra saptabhiḥ | taṃ pratyavidhyac chainēyaḥ śaraiḥ hemapariṣkṛtaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: In that battle, he pierced him there with seven nārāca arrows. In return, the son of Śini struck back, wounding Karṇa with arrows adorned with gold—thus repaying blow for blow in the fierce ethics of kṣatriya warfare, where valor is answered immediately by counter-valor.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya code in wartime: courage and skill are met with immediate counter-action. It reflects a battlefield ethic of answering an attack directly, emphasizing steadfastness and parity in combat rather than withdrawal.
One warrior wounds the other with seven nārāca arrows; then Śaineya (Sātyaki) retaliates by striking Karṇa with gold-adorned arrows, showing an exchange of blows in the ongoing duel.