Shloka 20
अध्याय २९: कर्णस्य शल्यं प्रति शापस्मरणं च युद्धनिश्चयः | Chapter 29: Karṇa recalls curses to Śalya and declares resolve for battle
नवमं च समाधाय व्यसृजत् प्राणघातिनम् | दुर्योधनायेषुवरं त॑ द्रौणि: सप्तधाच्छिनत्,फिर नवें प्राणघातक बाणको धनुषपर रखकर उन्होंने दुर्योधनकी ओर चला दिया; परंतु अश्वत्थामाने उस उत्तम बाणके सात टुकड़े कर डाले
navamaṃ ca samādhāya vyasṛjat prāṇaghātinam | duryodhanāyeṣuvāraṃ taṃ drauṇiḥ saptadhācchinat ||
मग नववा प्राणघातक बाण धनुष्यावर चढवून त्याने दुर्योधनाकडे तो उत्तम बाण सोडला; पण द्रोणपुत्र अश्वत्थाम्याने तो श्रेष्ठ बाण सात तुकड्यांत छेदून टाकला।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, technical prowess and vigilance can preserve a leader’s life, yet it also underscores the grim ethical reality that combat skill is exercised in the service of lethal intent; protection and destruction operate side by side.
A warrior launches a ninth deadly arrow at Duryodhana, but Aśvatthāman (Drauṇi) intercepts it and slices it into seven pieces, preventing the strike from reaching its target.