Shloka 22
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
इत्युक्त्वा सुभृशं वीरं शीघ्रकृन्निशितै: शरै: । पार्षत॑ छादयामास घोररूपै: सुतेजनै:
ity uktvā subhṛśaṃ vīraṃ śīghrakṛn niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | pārṣataḥ chādayāmāsa ghorarūpaiḥ sutejanaiḥ ||
ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞിട്ട് അവൻ ഉടൻ തന്നെ മൂർച്ചയുള്ള അമ്പുകളുടെ മഴ പെയ്തു; ഭീകരരൂപവും ജ്വലിക്കുന്ന തേജസ്സുമുള്ള ശരങ്ങളാൽ പൃഷതപുത്രനെ മൂടിക്കളഞ്ഞു.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of decisive action: words are immediately followed by swift execution in battle. Ethically, it underscores how martial duty in the epic often manifests as relentless, skillful violence directed toward an opponent, emphasizing resolve and capability rather than hesitation.
After speaking, the attacker rapidly releases a dense volley of sharp arrows, overwhelming and ‘covering’ Pārṣata (Dhṛṣṭadyumna) with dreadful, blazing shafts—depicting an intense exchange in the Karṇa Parva battle sequence.