Shloka 163
कर्णार्जुनसमागमः — The Karṇa–Arjuna Confrontation
Cosmic Spectatorship and Vows
अवाकिरुत्ततो द्रौणि: समन्तान्निशितै: शरै: । घोड़ोंके बन्धन खुल गये और वे चारों ओर दौड़ लगाने लगे। युद्धमें शोभा पानेवाले अर्जुनका वह पराक्रम देखकर पराक्रमी द्रोणकुमार अश्वत्थामा तुरंत उनके पास आ गया और अपने सुवर्ण-भूषित विशाल धनुषको हिलाते हुए उसने विजयी वीरोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुनको पैने बाणोंद्वारा सब ओरसे ढक दिया
sañjaya uvāca |
avākirut tato drauṇiḥ samantān niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ |
Sañjaya disse: Então Aśvatthāmā, filho de Droṇa, cobriu Arjuna de todos os lados com uma saraivada de flechas afiadas. Quando os arreios dos cavalos se soltaram e eles se desgovernaram, correndo em todas as direções, Aśvatthāmā—vendo o esplendor de combate e a valentia de Arjuna—correu para ele, sacudindo seu grande arco adornado de ouro, e envolveu por todos os lados aquele primeiro entre os heróis vitoriosos com dardos agudos.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights that in war, prowess alone is not enough: sudden disorder (like panicked horses and loosened harness) tests a warrior’s steadiness, command, and sense of responsibility. It also shows how rivalry and duty-driven combat can rapidly intensify, pressing ethical restraint and disciplined action to the forefront.
Sanjaya describes Aśvatthāmā (Drona’s son) rushing toward Arjuna after witnessing his battlefield brilliance. Aśvatthāmā shakes his gold-adorned bow and surrounds Arjuna with a dense volley of sharp arrows from all directions, while the horses’ bindings loosen and they run about, adding chaos to the fight.