Shloka 1186
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
धनंजयभयात् कर्णमुज्जिहीर्षन् महारथ: । उस समय अर्जुनके भयसे कर्णका उद्धार करनेकी इच्छा रखकर महारथी अभश्वत्थामाने अपने बाणसे उस नाराचको आकाशमें ही काट दिया
dhanañjayabhayāt karṇam ujjihīrṣan mahārathaḥ | tadā arjunabhayāt karṇoddhāraṇecchayā mahāratho ’śvatthāmā svabāṇena taṃ nārācaṃ ākāśe eva chittvā nyapātayat |
सञ्जय उवाच—धनञ्जयभयात् कर्णमुद्धर्तुमिच्छन् महारथिरश्वत्थामा स्वशरेण तं नाराचं मध्ये नभसि छित्त्वा निवारयामास।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, actions are often driven by immediate dharma as understood by the warrior—protecting one’s ally and preventing imminent harm. The verse highlights how loyalty and the duty to safeguard comrades can compel rapid, skillful intervention, while also revealing the moral pressure created by a formidable opponent’s presence.
Aśvatthāmā, alarmed by Arjuna’s threat and intent on saving Karṇa, shoots to intercept and cuts a nārāca missile in mid-air. This is a defensive act meant to neutralize a dangerous projectile before it can strike.