Shloka 31
भीष्म-युधिष्ठिर-संमर्दः
Bhīṣma’s Pressure on Yudhiṣṭhira; Śikhaṇḍī’s Approach; Evening Withdrawal
ते विकर्ण समासाद्य कड्कबर्हिणवासस: । भित्त्वा देहं गता भूमिं ज्वलन्त इव पन्नगा:,उन बाणोंके पुच्छभागमें मोरके पंख लगे हुए थे। वे विकर्णके शरीरको विदीर्ण करके भीतर घुस गये और वहाँसे भी निकलकर प्रज्वलित सर्पोकी भाँति पृथ्वीपर गिर पड़े
te vikarṇa samāsādya kaṅkabārhiṇavāsasaḥ | bhittvā dehaṃ gatā bhūmiṃ jvalanta iva pannagāḥ ||
ते विकर्णं समासाद्य कङ्कबर्हिणवाससः । भित्त्वा देहं गता भूमिं ज्वलन्त इव पन्नगाः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim ethical reality of war: once battle is joined, weapons act with a terrifying inevitability, and even valiant warriors are subject to sudden bodily destruction. It evokes the kṣatriya world where courage and skill operate within a larger, often merciless, flow of fate and conflict.
Sañjaya describes arrows striking Vikarna. Adorned with feathers, they pierce and split his body, then continue through and fall to the ground, compared to flaming serpents—an intense visual of the ferocity of the fighting.