Shloka 13
द्रोणपुत्रस्याग्नेयास्त्रप्रयोगः — अर्जुनस्य ब्राह्मास्त्रप्रतिघातः — व्यासोपदेशः
Aśvatthāmā’s Agneyāstra, Arjuna’s Brāhmāstra Counter, and Vyāsa’s Instruction
त॑ तु सायकमायान्तमाचार्यस्य रथं प्रति । कर्णो द्वादशधा राजंश्रिच्छेद कृतहस्तवत्,नरेश्वर! आचार्यके रथकी ओर आते हुए उस बाणके कर्णने सिद्धहस्त योद्धाकी भाँति बारह टुकड़े कर डाले
taṁ tu sāyakam āyāntam ācāryasya rathaṁ prati | karṇo dvādaśadhā rājan ciccheda kṛtahastavat ||
तं तु सायकमायान्तमाचार्यस्य रथं प्रति । कर्णो द्वादशधा राजन् शिच्छेद कृतहस्तवत् ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war: even when the broader struggle has compromised dharma, individual acts—such as shielding a revered teacher—can reflect loyalty and responsibility, while also showing how technical excellence (kṛtahastatā) powerfully shapes outcomes.
An arrow is flying toward Droṇa’s chariot. Karṇa intercepts it and slices it into twelve pieces, demonstrating extraordinary archery and preventing the missile from reaching the Teacher.