Shloka 433
द्रौणि-पार्षतयोर्युद्धम् | The Duel of Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi) and Dhṛṣṭadyumna (Pārṣata
समाचिनोद् बाणगणै: शतघ्नीभिश्न शड्कुभि: । इस प्रकार अपने अत्यन्त वैरी कर्णको रथहीन करके मुसकराते हुए भीमसेनने उसे बाणसमूहों, शतप्नियों और शंकुओंसे आच्छादित कर दिया
samācinod bāṇagaṇaiḥ śataghnībhiś ca śaṅkubhiḥ |
सञ्जय उवाच—एवं भीमसेनः परमवैरिणं कर्णं विरथीकृत्य, स्मयमानो बाणगणैः शतघ्नीभिश्च शङ्कुभिश्च तमाच्छादयामास।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim ethical tension of war: even great heroes may press advantage relentlessly once combat is joined. It reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring concern with how kṣatriya-duty and personal enmity can harden the heart, making victory pursued not only as strategy but also as a display of dominance.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma has forced Karṇa into a vulnerable state—without his chariot—and then showers him with dense volleys of weapons (arrows and heavy missiles), effectively blanketing him under sustained attack.