Shloka 14
Karṇa-kuṇḍala-kavaca-jijñāsā; Kuntibhoja’s hospitality and Pṛthā’s appointment (कर्णकुण्डलकवचजिज्ञासा)
विभीषण: प्रहस्तं च प्रहस्तश्न विभीषणम् । खगपत्रै: शरैस्तीक्ष्णैरभ्यवर्षद् गतव्यथ:,इधर विभीषण प्रहस्तपर और प्रहस्त विभीषणपर पंखयुक्त तीखे बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगे। उन दोनोंमेंसे कोई भी व्यथाका अनुभव नहीं करता था
Vibhīṣaṇaḥ Prahastaṃ ca Prahastaś ca Vibhīṣaṇam | khagapatraiḥ śarais tīkṣṇair abhyavarṣad gatavyathaḥ ||
Disse Mārkaṇḍeya: Vibhīṣaṇa fez chover flechas agudas e emplumadas sobre Prahasta, e Prahasta, por sua vez, sobre Vibhīṣaṇa. Contudo nenhum dos dois mostrou sinal de dor ou vacilação—cada qual permaneceu firme na fúria da batalha, ilustrando como a guerra pode endurecer a determinação quando dever e lealdade são tidos por supremos.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness under pressure: in violent conflict, warriors may become 'gatavyatha'—unshaken by pain—showing how commitment to one’s chosen duty or allegiance can steel the mind, for good or ill.
Vibhīṣaṇa and Prahasta exchange volleys of sharp, feathered arrows, each showering the other, and neither appears to suffer or falter.