Shloka 17
Nārada’s Account of the Kaliṅga Svayaṃvara: Duryodhana’s Seizure and Karṇa’s Escort
कर्णस्तेषामापततामेकैकेन शरेण ह । धनूंषि च शरब्रातान् पातयामास भूतले
karṇas teṣām āpatatām ekaikena śareṇa ha | dhanūṃṣi ca śarabrātān pātayāmāsa bhūtale ||
அவர்கள் பாய்ந்து வந்தபோது, கர்ணன் ஒவ்வொருவரையும் ஒவ்வொரு அம்பால் தாக்கி, அவர்களின் வில்லுகளையும் அம்புக் கட்டுகளையும் தரையில் விழச் செய்தான்।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of mastery and decisiveness in battle: superior skill can neutralize opponents swiftly, often by disarming them, demonstrating controlled power rather than mere slaughter.
As multiple foes rush forward, Karṇa shoots each attacker with a single arrow, knocking down their bows and arrow-sheaves onto the ground, effectively disabling their ability to fight.