Shloka 22
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 19 — Saṃśaptaka–Trigarta Assault and Aindra-astra Counter
ततो<परान् सुतीक्ष्णाग्रान् नाराचान् मर्मभेदिन: । गत्या दशम्या संयुक्तान श्वत्थामाप्यवासृजत्,तत्पश्चात् अश्वत्थामाने तीखे अग्रभागवाले दूसरे बहुत-से मर्मभेदी नाराच चलाये, जो दसवीं गतिका आश्रय लेकर छोड़े गये थे-
tato 'parān sutīkṣṇāgrān nārācān marmabhedinaḥ | gatyā daśamyā saṃyuktān aśvatthāmāpy avāsṛjat ||
Санджая сказал: Затем он выпустил ещё множество нарач — стрел с чрезвычайно острыми наконечниками, пронзающих жизненно важные места, — и послал их с быстротой десятой степени.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare can intensify into targeted, lethal intent—aiming at vital points—raising ethical tension within kṣatriya combat: prowess and duty are exercised, yet the means emphasize the grim cost of conflict.
Sañjaya describes a warrior discharging many additional, razor-tipped nārāca arrows, described as marman-piercing and launched with great speed, specifically aimed at Aśvatthāmā.