Shloka 52
प्रेषयामास नाराचान् रुक्मपुड्खान् शिलाशितान् । राजेन्द्र! उसके तीखे बाणोंसे रोके जाते हुए भीमसेन उसीकी ओर लौट पड़े! उस समय शकुनिने उनकी बायीं पसली और छातीमें सोनेके पंखवाले और शिलापर तेज किये हुए कई नाराच मारे || ५१ ई || वर्म भित्त्वा तु ते घोरा: पाण्डवस्य महात्मन:
preṣayāmāsa nārācān rukmapuḍkhān śilāśitān | rājendra! tasya tīkṣṇabāṇair rokyamāno 'pi bhīmasenaḥ tam evābhimukhaṃ nivavṛte | tadā śakunir asya vāmapārśve vakṣasi ca suvarṇapakṣān śilāśitān bahūn nārācān avāhayat ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Dia melepaskan anak panah nārāca—berbulu emas dan diasah di atas batu. Wahai raja, walaupun dihalang oleh panah tajam pahlawan itu, Bhīmasena berpaling semula ke arahnya. Lalu Śakuni memanah Bhīma pada sebelah kiri dan pada dadanya dengan banyak nārāca, bersayap emas dan bermata tajam yang diasah di atas batu.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the battlefield narrative, the verse highlights steadfast resolve under injury: Bhīma continues to confront the foe even when restrained by sharp arrows. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya ideal of perseverance and courage, while also showing how warfare rewards technical precision and repeated, targeted strikes.
Sañjaya reports that a warrior releases heavy nārāca arrows with golden feathering and stone-sharpened tips. Despite being checked by the opponent’s arrows, Bhīma turns back to face him; Śakuni then hits Bhīma’s left side and chest with many such nārācas.