अर्जुनस्य द्रोणिप्रतिघातः कर्णोपसर्पणं च
Arjuna Checks Droṇaputra; Karṇa Advances
सुषेणस्तु धनुर्ग.ह्दा भारसाधनमुत्तमम् | नकुल॑ पज्चभिर्बाणैर्बाह्वोरुरगसि चार्पयत्
suṣeṇas tu dhanur gṛhītvā bhārasādhanaṃ uttamam | nakulaṃ pañcabhir bāṇair bāhvor urasi cārpayat ||
सञ्जय उवाच—सुषेणस्तु गुरुभारं श्रेष्ठं धनुरादाय, बलसाधनमिवायुधं, नकुलं पञ्चभिर्बाणैर्भुजयोर्द्वयोश्च वक्षसि च समर्पयामास।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the harsh reality of dharma in war: warriors act with trained force and resolve, yet each strike deepens the tragedy of a conflict among relatives and allies. It invites reflection on how duty-driven violence can still carry profound ethical cost.
Sañjaya reports that Suṣeṇa takes up a powerful bow and shoots Nakula with five arrows, lodging them in Nakula’s arms and chest—an immediate battlefield action showing Nakula being wounded in the ongoing Kurukṣetra combat.