Shloka 37
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
नकुलस्तु तत: शूरो वृषसेनं हसन्निव । नाराचेन सुतीक्ष्णेन विव्याध हृदये भूशम्
nakulas tu tataḥ śūro vṛṣasenaṃ hasann iva | nārācena sutīkṣṇena vivyādha hṛdaye bhūśam ||
नकुलस्तु ततः शूरो वृषसेनं हसन्निव । नाराचेन सुतीक्ष्णेन विव्याध हृदये भृशम् ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in its stark form: a warrior’s duty demands steadiness and precision even in deadly conflict. The ‘as if laughing’ suggests fearlessness and composure—virtues in battle—while also warning how easily confidence can shade into taunting in the heat of war.
Sañjaya narrates a battlefield moment where Nakula attacks Vṛṣasena (Karna’s son). Nakula, appearing unshaken, shoots a very sharp nārāca arrow that pierces Vṛṣasena in the heart, indicating a severe, possibly decisive wound.