Shloka 22
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
तस्य माद्रीसुत: केतुं सशरं च शरासनम्,भारत! तब माद्रीकुमार नकुलने भी हँसते हुए-से तीखे बाण मारकर दुःशासनके धनुष- बाण और ध्वजको काट गिराया और पचीस बाण मारकर उसे घायल कर दिया
tasya mādrīsutaḥ ketuṁ saśaraṁ ca śarāsanam, bhārata! tadā mādrīkumāro nakulaḥ hasann iva tīkṣṇaiḥ śaraiḥ duḥśāsanasya dhanuḥ-bāṇau dhvajaṁ ca chittvā pātayām āsa, pañcaviṁśatyā ca śaraiḥ taṁ vivyādha.
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai Bhārata, kemudian Nakula, putera Mādrī, seolah-olah tersenyum, melepaskan anak panah tajam lalu menebas jatuh busur, anak-anak panah, dan panji Duḥśāsana. Sesudah itu, dengan dua puluh lima batang anak panah, dia menikam Duḥśāsana hingga terluka.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: decisive action aimed at disabling an opponent’s capacity to harm (cutting bow and banner) rather than mere rage. The ‘as if smiling’ composure suggests inner steadiness—skill and self-control amid violence—while the fall of the banner symbolizes the checking of arrogant aggression.
During the Kurukṣetra battle, Nakula confronts Duḥśāsana. He shoots sharp arrows that sever Duḥśāsana’s bow, his arrows, and his standard, causing them to fall, and then strikes him with twenty-five arrows, leaving him wounded.