Shloka 22
Somadatta’s Kṣātra-Dharma Accusation; Night Combat, Māyā, and the Fall of Ghaṭotkaca
Droṇa-parva, Adhyāya 131
तस्य कर्णो महेष्वास: सायकांशक्ष॒तुरो$क्षिपत्,राजन! फिर महाधनुर्धर कर्णने चार बाण चलाये। परंतु भीमसेनने अपने हाथकी फुर्ती दिखाते हुए झुकी हुई गाँठवाले अनेक बाणोंद्वारा अपने पास आनेके पहले ही कर्णके बाणोंके टुकड़े-टुकड़े कर दिये
tasya karṇo maheṣvāsaḥ sāyakāṃś caturō 'kṣipat
तस्य कर्णो महेष्वासः सायकांश्चतुरोऽक्षिपत् । तान् भीमः क्षिप्रहस्तस्तु शरैर्बहुभिराहवे । आगतान् प्राप्य पूर्वं तु चिच्छेद शतधा रणे ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the dharmic frame of a kṣatriya battle, prowess is not only aggression but disciplined attention and timely response. The verse highlights controlled skill—meeting danger with presence of mind—rather than uncontrolled fury.
Karṇa releases four arrows at his opponent. Bhīmasena, moving with great quickness, intercepts and breaks those arrows before they can strike, demonstrating superior defensive timing in that exchange.