Shloka 25
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 19 — Saṃśaptaka–Trigarta Assault and Aindra-astra Counter
दिव्यं धनुरथाधिज्यं कृत्वा द्रौणिरमित्रहा । प्रेक्ष्य चाशु रथे युक्तान् नरैरन्यान् हयोत्तमान्
divyaṁ dhanur athādhijyaṁ kṛtvā drauṇir amitrahā | prekṣya cāśu rathe yuktān narair anyān hayottamān |
Disse Sañjaya: Então Drauṇi (Aśvatthāman), o matador de inimigos, tendo retesado o seu arco divino, e vendo que os atendentes haviam rapidamente jungido ao seu carro outros excelentes cavalos, disparou uma torrente de milhares de flechas, enchendo o céu e os quadrantes com seus dardos.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how swiftly prepared resources and heightened resolve can unleash overwhelming force in war; ethically, it underscores the Mahābhārata’s recurring warning that martial excellence, when driven by anger and rivalry, accelerates destruction and deepens the chain of consequences.
Sañjaya reports that Aśvatthāmā (Drauṇi) strings his divine bow, notices that fresh excellent horses have been quickly harnessed to his chariot by attendants, and then releases a massive volley of arrows that seems to fill the sky and all directions.