Shloka 333

Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena

Devanagari script

निशितेनातिबाणेन द्रौणिं विव्याध पार्षत: । महाराज! ऐसा कहकर अमर्षशील सेनापति ट्रुपदकुमारने अत्यन्त तीखे बाणसे द्रोणपुत्रको बींध डाला

Transliteration

niśitenātibāṇena drauṇiṃ vivyādha pārṣataḥ | mahārāja |

Translation

Sañjaya said: “O King, having spoken thus, the fierce and unyielding commander—the son of Drupada—pierced Droṇa’s son with an exceedingly sharp arrow.” The moment underscores how, in the fury of war, personal resolve and martial duty drive swift, decisive violence, even against renowned warriors.

Word by Word

• निशितेन: with sharp
• निशितेन: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निशित
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• अतिबाणेन: with a very powerful arrow
• अतिबाणेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतिबाण
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• द्रौणिम्: Drona's son (Ashvatthaman)
• द्रौणिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रौणि
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• विव्याध: pierced
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्यध्
• Form: Perfect (Paroksha-bhuta), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• पार्षतः: the son of Prishata (Dhrishtadyumna)
• पार्षतः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्षत
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• Pārṣata (Dhṛṣṭadyumna, son of Drupada)
• Drauṇi (Aśvatthāman, son of Droṇa)
• arrow (bāṇa)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the war-ethic of swift action under kṣatriya-duty, while also hinting at the moral tension of anger-driven combat: martial resolve can fulfill duty, yet it easily becomes fueled by amarsa (resentful fury), intensifying violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Dhṛṣṭadyumna (Drupada’s son), after speaking, shoots a very sharp and powerful arrow and pierces Aśvatthāman (Droṇa’s son).