Shloka 8
Bhīṣma–Arjuna Strategic Engagement at Virāṭa’s Frontier (भीष्मार्जुनयुद्धम्)
ततो द्रौणिर्धनु: श्रेष्ठमपकृष्य रथर्षभम् । पुनरेवाहनत् पार्थ हृदये कड्कपत्रिभि:,तदनन्तर द्रोणपुत्रने अपना श्रेष्ठ धनुष खींचकर कंक पक्षीके पंखवाले बाणोंद्वारा रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ पार्थकी छातीमें पुन: भारी आघात पहुँचाया
tato drauṇir dhanuḥ śreṣṭham apakṛṣya ratharṣabham | punar evāhanat pārtha hṛdaye kaṅkapatribhiḥ ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Então o filho de Droṇa, retesando o seu excelente arco, voltou a atingir Pārtha —o primeiro entre os guerreiros de carro—, trespassando-lhe a região do coração com flechas emplumadas com penas do pássaro kaṅka.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, prowess and determination can become relentless force; it implicitly contrasts martial excellence with the ethical burden of repeated harm, reminding readers that kṣatriya action often operates under harsh necessity rather than gentle ideals.
Aśvatthāman (Droṇa’s son) draws his bow and strikes Arjuna again, aiming at the heart-region with arrows fletched with kaṅka-bird feathers, emphasizing the intensity and persistence of the duel.