Shloka 12
ततः कर्ण: प्रथम तत्र पार्थ महेषुभिवर्दशभि: प्रत्यविध्यत् । तं॑ चार्जुन: प्रत्यविद्धयच्छिताग्रै: कक्षान्तरे दशभि: सम्प्रहस्य
tataḥ karṇaḥ prathamaṃ tatra pārthaṃ maheṣubhir daśabhiḥ pratyavidhyat | taṃ cārjunaḥ pratyavidhyac chitagraiḥ kakṣāntare daśabhiḥ samprahasya ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian Karṇa, yang menyerang terlebih dahulu dalam pertembungan itu, menikam Pārtha (Arjuna) dengan sepuluh anak panah perkasa. Arjuna, sambil tertawa membalas, menembusnya pula dengan sepuluh batang panah bermata tajam, menghunjam ke bahagian ketiaknya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness and disciplined prowess: even amid lethal conflict, the warriors maintain composure and respond with measured skill, reflecting duty-bound courage rather than panic.
In the Karṇa–Arjuna duel as reported by Sañjaya, Karṇa strikes first, hitting Arjuna with ten powerful arrows; Arjuna immediately retaliates, smiling, and pierces Karṇa with ten sharp arrows aimed at the armpit-region.