Shloka 22
तत: शतानीकमविध्यदायसै- स्त्रिभि: शरै: कर्णसुतोअ्डर्जुनं त्रिभि: । त्रिभिश्व भीम॑ नकुलं च सप्तभि- ज॑नार्दनं द्वादशभिश्न॒ सायकै:,तत्पश्चात् कर्णपुत्र वृषसेनने लोहेके बने हुए तीन बाणोंसे शतानीकको घायल कर दिया। फिर उसने अर्जुनको तीन, भीमसेनको तीन, नकुलको सात और श्रीकृष्णको बारह बाणोंसे बींध डाला
tataḥ śatānīkam avidhyad āyasais tribhiḥ śaraiḥ karṇasuto 'rjunaṃ tribhiḥ | tribhiś ca bhīmaṃ nakulaṃ ca saptabhir janārdanaṃ dvādaśabhiś ca sāyakaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then Karṇa’s son struck Śatānīka with three iron-tipped arrows. Next he pierced Arjuna with three, Bhīmasena with three, Nakula with seven, and Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa) with twelve shafts. The scene underscores the relentless escalation of battle, where prowess and loyalty are tested amid the harsh ethics of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the severe demands of kṣatriya-dharma in wartime: warriors press their advantage through skill and resolve, while the narrative invites reflection on the moral cost of violence and the steadfastness of allies even under attack.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa’s son Vṛṣasena shoots multiple opponents in quick succession—Śatānīka, then Arjuna, Bhīma, Nakula, and even Kṛṣṇa (Janārdana)—marking an intense exchange of missiles in the Karṇa Parva battle.