Shloka 29
Bhīṣma–Karṇa Saṃvāda on the Śaraśayyā (भीष्म–कर्ण संवादः शरशय्यायाम्)
त्रिभि: शरैर्महाराज वासुदेव॑ च पञ्चभि: । भीमसेनं च नवभिर्बाह्वोरुरसि चार्पयत्,एकैकं त्रिभिरानर्च्छत् कड़ुकबर्हिणवाजितै: । उसके बाद सुशर्मा और कृपाचार्यको भी तीन-तीन बाणोंसे बींध डाला। राजेन्द्र! फिर समरांगणमें प्राग्ज्योतिषनरेश भगदत्त, सिन्धुराज जयद्रथ, चित्रसेन, विकर्ण, कृतवर्मा, दुर्मीषण तथा महारथी विन्द और अनुविन्द--इनमैंसे प्रत्येकको गीधकी पाँखसे युक्त तीन- तीन बाणोंद्वारा विशेष पीड़ा दी महाराज! फिर मद्रराजने भी भारसाधनमें समर्थ दूसरा धनुष लेकर रणभूमिमें अर्जुनपर रोषपूर्वक तीन बाणोंद्वारा प्रहार किया। वसुदेवनन्दन श्रीकृष्णको पाँच बाणोंसे घायल करके उन्होंने भीमसेनकी भुजाओं तथा छातीमें नौ बाण मारे
tribhiḥ śarair mahārāja vāsudevaṃ ca pañcabhiḥ | bhīmasenaṃ ca navabhir bāhv-orasi cārpayat | ekaikaṃ tribhir ānarcchet kaḍuka-barhiṇa-vājitaiḥ |
Sañjaya said: O King, he struck with three arrows, and wounded Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) with five. He then planted nine arrows into Bhīmasena—into his arms and chest. Next, on the battlefield he afflicted each of the opposing warriors with three arrows fitted with vulture-feathers, marking the relentless escalation of violence in the war where prowess is displayed through measured, targeted strikes rather than restraint.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the epic’s kṣatriya battlefield ethic: skill and resolve are displayed through precise, counted strikes, yet the scene also underscores how quickly war normalizes harm even to revered figures like Kṛṣṇa, inviting reflection on the moral cost of conflict.
Sañjaya reports a warrior’s successive attacks: three arrows in general, five arrows striking Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva), and nine arrows driven into Bhīma’s arms and chest; the narration emphasizes intensity and tactical targeting in the ongoing battle.