Mahabharata — Karna Parva, Shloka 5
कर्णवधार्थं धनञ्जयस्य प्रतिज्ञा — Arjuna’s resolve for Karṇa’s defeat
विगाहा[ तद् रथानीकं॑ कड्कपत्रै: शिलाशितै: । आससाद ततः पार्थ: सुशर्माणं वरायुधम्
vigāhya tad rathānīkaṃ kaṅkapatraiḥ śilāśitaiḥ | āsasāda tataḥ pārthaḥ suśarmāṇaṃ varāyudham ||
Sañjaya berkata: Setelah menerobos ke dalam himpunan kereta perang yang padat, Arjuna—putera Kuntī—memanah dengan anak panah tajam yang diasah pada batu dan dipasangkan bulu burung, lalu mendekati Suśarmā, pemegang senjata yang unggul.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores purposeful courage guided by kṣatriya-dharma: even amid violent conflict, the warrior’s action is to be disciplined, directed, and aligned with duty rather than uncontrolled aggression.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna breaking into the enemy chariot-formation, striking with sharp feathered arrows, and then advancing directly to confront Suśarmā, a prominent opposing warrior-king.