Shloka 7
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
ते ललाटं विनिर्भिद्य सूतपुत्रस्य भारत | विविशुश्वोदितास्तेन वल्मीकमिव पन्नगा:,भारत! उनके चलाये हुए वे नाराच सूतपुत्रका ललाट छेद करके बाँबीमें सर्पोंके समान उसके भीतर घुस गये
te lalāṭaṃ vinirbhidya sūtaputrasya bhārata | viviśuś coditās tena valmīkam iva pannagāḥ ||
サञ्जयは言った。――おおバーラタよ、彼の放ったその矢は御者の子の額を貫き、蟻塚へと忍び入る蛇のように、その身の内へと入り込んだ。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily narrative, but its ethical resonance lies in portraying the harsh inevitability of war: once martial duty and enmity are fully engaged, violence proceeds with a force that is difficult to restrain. The simile (serpents entering an anthill) emphasizes how swiftly and decisively harm can penetrate when conflict is unleashed.
Sañjaya reports that the arrows shot by a warrior (referred to as ‘by him’) pierce Karna’s forehead and lodge within him, compared to snakes entering an anthill. It depicts Karna being struck powerfully in the ongoing battle scene of Droṇa Parva.