Shloka 14
Adhyāya 86: Irāvān’s Lineage, Cavalry Clash, and the Māyā-Duel Ending in Irāvān’s Fall
विव्याध निशितैस्तूर्ण शरै: संनतपर्वभि: | तावेन॑ प्रत्यविध्येतां समरे चित्रयोधिनौ
vivyādha niśitais tūrṇaṃ śaraiḥ saṃnata-parvabhiḥ | tāv enaṃ pratyavidhyetāṃ samare citra-yodhinau ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Mabilis na tinuhog ni Irāvān ang dalawang iyon ng matutulis na palasong may baluktot na mga dugtungan. Pagkaraan, ang dalawang mandirigmang tanyag sa sari-sari at masining na pakikipaglaban ay gumanti sa labanan at tinuhog din si Irāvān. Ang sagupaan ng mga bayani ay naging lubhang nag-aalab—bawat sugat ay tinutumbasan ng sugat, sa walang-awang indayog ng digmaan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya battlefield ethic of immediate counter-action: injury is answered with a measured, skillful response. It underscores martial discipline and reciprocity in combat rather than moral approval of violence itself.
Irāvān rapidly wounds the two brothers Vind(a) and Anuvinda with sharp, bent-jointed arrows. Both brothers—renowned for their striking, varied fighting—then retaliate and pierce Irāvān in the ongoing battle.