Shloka 23
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
चिच्छेद निशितैर्बाणै: प्रहसन्निव भारत । अथैनं पज्चविंशत्या क्षुद्रकाणां समार्पयत्,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
ciccheda niśitair bāṇaiḥ prahasann iva bhārata | athainaṃ pañcaviṃśatyā kṣudrakāṇāṃ samārpayat ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Bhārata, Nakula—putera Mādrī—seolah-olah bergurau sambil tersenyum, memutuskan busur, anak-anak panah, dan panji Duḥśāsana dengan anak panah yang tajam; kemudian dia menghujaninya dengan dua puluh lima anak panah kecil yang pantas, hingga dia terluka.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined martial skill used within the battlefield code: disabling an opponent’s weapons and standard, then wounding him with measured strikes—showing how prowess and psychological composure function as part of kṣatriya-dharma in war.
Sañjaya reports that Nakula, appearing to smile, cuts down Duhśāsana’s bow, arrows, and banner with sharp arrows, and then hits him with twenty-five light arrows, injuring him.