Shloka 79
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
तथैव शरवर्षेण उलूकं॑ समविद्धयत । उलूकश्चापि त॑ं बाणैर्निशितैलोमवाहिभि:,राजन! चेदिराजने समरांगणमें उलूकपर धावा किया और उसे अपने बाणोंकी वर्षासे बींध डाला। वैसे ही उलूकने भी पंखयुक्त तीखे बाणोंद्वारा चेदिराजको गहरी चोट पहुँचायी
tathaiva śaravarṣeṇa ulūkaṃ samaviddhayat | ulūkaś cāpi taṃ bāṇair niśitair lomavāhibhiḥ, rājan |
ฉันนั้นเอง กษัตริย์แห่งเจดีก็ระดมฝนศรเข้าทิ่มแทงอูลูกะ และโอ้พระราชา อูลูกะก็โต้ตอบด้วยลูกศรคมมีขนปีก ทะลวงกษัตริย์เจดีให้บาดเจ็บสาหัส
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the reciprocity of violence in battle: aggression is met with counter-aggression. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, this underscores the grim momentum of war—while kṣatriyas display valor and duty, each exchange deepens the burden of harm and the cycle of retaliation.
Sañjaya reports that the Cedi king showers Ulūka with arrows and pierces him; Ulūka immediately responds by striking the Cedi king with sharp, feathered arrows. It is a direct duel marked by mutual wounding.