Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
तयोरासीन्महाराज संग्रामो लोमहर्षण: । धृष्टय्युम्नस्तु राधेयं शरेणानतपर्वणा
tayor āsīn mahārāja saṅgrāmo lomaharṣaṇaḥ | dhṛṣṭadyumnas tu rādheyaṃ śareṇānataparvaṇā ||
तयोरासीन्महाराज संग्रामो लोमहर्षणः। धृष्टद्युम्नस्तु राधेयं शरेणानतपर्वणा॥
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores the Mahābhārata’s ethic of kṣatriya confrontation: when rival champions meet, the conflict becomes intense and consequential, and each act (like a well-aimed arrow) carries moral and strategic weight within the larger dharmic crisis of the war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a terrifying duel has erupted between Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Karna, and that Dhṛṣṭadyumna strikes Karna with a powerful, firm arrow, marking a sharp moment in their direct engagement.