Shloka 15
Bhīṣma–Karṇa Saṃvāda on the Śaraśayyā (भीष्म–कर्ण संवादः शरशय्यायाम्)
रथिन: सादिनश्चापि तत्र तत्र निषूदिता: । दृश्यन्ते बहवो राजन् वेपमाना: समन्ततः
sañjaya uvāca | rathinaḥ sādināś cāpi tatra tatra niṣūditāḥ | dṛśyante bahavo rājan vepamānāḥ samantataḥ | ekaikaṃ tribhir ānarcchat kaḍukabarhiṇavājitaiḥ |
सञ्जय उवाच—राजन्, तत्र तत्र रथिनः सादिनश्च बहवो निषूदिताः; समन्ततो वेपमानाः छटपटमानाश्च दृश्यन्ते। स च कङ्कबर्हिणवाजितैः शरैः प्रत्येकं त्रिभिरानर्च्छत्, तीव्रां पीडां मोहं च जनयन्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim reality of warfare: martial skill can swiftly translate into mass suffering. Even when framed within kṣatriya-duty, the narrative invites ethical reflection on the human cost of victory and the fragility of life amid violence.
Sañjaya reports to the king that many chariot-warriors and horsemen have been struck down across the field, seen trembling and writhing. The (unnamed in this Sanskrit snippet) warrior attacks each opponent with three feather-fletched arrows, spreading pain and disarray.