Shloka 14
Kṛpa’s Archery Display; Śikhaṇḍin Checked; Suketu Slain; Dhṛṣṭadyumna–Kṛtavarmā Clash (कृपशौर्य–पार्षतहार्दिक्ययुद्धम्)
यदा वै त्वां फाल्गुनवेगयुक्ता ज्याचोदिता हस्तवता विसृष्टा: । अन्वेतार: कड्कपत्रा: सिताग्रा- स्तदा तप्स्यस्यर्जुनस्थानुयोगात्
sañjaya uvāca |
yadā vai tvāṃ phālgunavega-yuktā jyā-coditā hasta-vatā visṛṣṭāḥ |
anvetāraḥ kaṅka-patrāḥ sitāgrās tadā tapsyasy arjuna-sthānu-yogāt ||
Sanjaya berkata: Apabila anak-anak panah itu—dipacu oleh kelajuan Phalguna (Arjuna), didorong oleh tali busur, dan dilepaskan oleh tangan yang terlatih—berhias bulu burung pemangsa serta bermata putih berkilau lagi tajam—mula menembusi tubuhmu, maka ketika itu engkau akan menyesal, kerana kedegilanmu yang asyik mencabar Arjuna.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns against stubborn pride and needless provocation: when one knowingly challenges a superior force out of obstinacy, suffering follows, and repentance comes too late. Martial confidence must be tempered by discernment and humility.
Sanjaya foretells to Dhritarashtra (and addresses Karna in the quoted warning) that Arjuna’s swift, expertly released arrows—feathered and sharp—will pierce Karna, and that Karna will then regret his persistent fixation on confronting Arjuna.