Shloka 1
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
अफड--रू- द्वादशोड् ध्याय: दोनों सेनाओंका ला और भीमसेनके द्वारा क्षेम वध संजय उवाच ते सेने<न्योन्यमासाद्य प्रह्ृष्टाश्चनरद्धिपे । बृहत्यौ सम्प्रजहाते देवासुरसमप्र भे
sañjaya uvāca | tataḥ karṇo maheṣvāsaḥ pāṇḍavānām anīkinīm | jaghāna samare śūraḥ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai Raja, selepas itu Karna—pemanah agung dan wira di medan perang—mula menumpaskan bala tentera Pāṇḍava di gelanggang pertempuran, menghujaninya dengan anak panah yang “berbuku bengkok” (terarah tepat dan membawa maut).
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse does not state a moral maxim directly; it highlights how quickly war escalates under a powerful warrior. Ethically, it invites reflection on the tragic cost of kshatriya valor when directed into a kin-war, where skill and duty can become instruments of widespread destruction.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Karna, a formidable archer, begins a fierce assault on the Pandava forces, striking them down with expertly made and effectively aimed arrows.