Shloka 18
अमोघशक्तिव्यंसनप्रश्नः — Why Karṇa’s Śakti Was Not Used on Arjuna
तं शिबि: प्रतिविव्याध त्रिंशता निशितै: शरैः । सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन स्मयमानो न्न्यपातयत्,तब शिबिने तीस तीखे सायकोंसे बेधकर बदला चुकाया और मुसकराते हुए उन्होंने एक भल्लसे उनके सारथिको मार गिराया
taṃ śibiḥ prativivyādha triṃśatā niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | sārathiṃ cāsya bhallena smayamāno nyapātayat ||
ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಆಗ ಶಿಬಿಯು ಮೂವತ್ತು ತೀಕ್ಷ್ಣ ಶರಗಳಿಂದ ಅವನನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿಭೇದಿಸಿ, ನಗುತ್ತಾ ಒಂದು ಭಲ್ಲಬಾಣದಿಂದ ಅವನ ಸಾರಥಿಯನ್ನು ಕೆಳಗೆ ಬೀಳಿಸಿದನು॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, skill and intent can target not only the main fighter but also the support system (the charioteer), raising questions about proportionality and the harsh pragmatics of kṣatriya conduct when victory and survival are at stake.
Śibi retaliates by piercing his opponent with thirty sharp arrows, then—smiling—shoots a bhalla-arrow that brings down the opponent’s charioteer, effectively crippling the enemy’s ability to maneuver and fight from the chariot.