Shloka 196
कर्णभीमसेनयुद्धम् | Karṇa–Bhīmasena Engagement
Chapter 111
प्रतिविव्याध तान् सर्वान् पज्चभि: पज्चभि: शरै: | उन महाधनुर्थर महारथियोंद्वारा सब ओरसे अत्यन्त घायल होकर बदलेमें अलम्बुषने भी पाँच-पाँच बाणोंसे उन सबको वेध दिया
prativivyādha tān sarvān pañcabhiḥ pañcabhiḥ śaraiḥ |
प्रतिविव्याध तान् सर्वान् पञ्चभिः पञ्चभिः शरैः। तैर्महाधनुर्धरैर्महारथैः सर्वतोऽतिविद्धोऽपि अलम्बुषः प्रत्युत पञ्चभिः पञ्चभिः शरैः तान् सर्वान् विव्याध।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the battlefield logic of reciprocal force: even when grievously hurt, a warrior responds proportionately and immediately. It implicitly raises the ethical tension of seeking dharma through war—where duty and retaliation can perpetuate cycles of harm.
Amid the Drona Parva battle, Alambuṣa—wounded from all sides by great chariot-warriors—retaliates by shooting each of them with five arrows, matching their assault with a measured counterstrike.