Shloka 21
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 19 — Saṃśaptaka–Trigarta Assault and Aindra-astra Counter
मर्मभेदिभिरत्युग्रैर्बाणैरग्निशिखोपमै: । स्मयन्नभ्यहनद् द्रौणि: पाण्ड्यमाचार्यसत्तम:,तब आचार्यप्रवर अश्वत्थामाने अत्यन्त भयंकर तथा अग्निशिखाके समान तेजस्वी मर्मभेदी बाणोंद्वारा पाण्ड्यनरेशको मुसकराते हुए घायल कर दिया
marmabhedibhir atyugrair bāṇair agniśikhopamaiḥ | smayann abhyahanad drauṇiḥ pāṇḍyam ācāryasattamaḥ ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Pagkaraan, si Aśvatthāman, anak ni Droṇa at pinakadakilang guro, ay ngumiti at tinamaan ang hari ng Pāṇḍya ng mga palasong ubod ng bangis, tumatagos sa mahahalagang bahagi ng buhay, na nagliliyab na wari’y mga dila ng apoy.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension of war: extraordinary martial skill can coexist with a disturbing emotional detachment (smiling while inflicting grievous wounds), prompting reflection on how dharma is strained and tested in battlefield conduct.
Sañjaya reports that Aśvatthāman, famed as Droṇa’s son and a leading warrior, attacks the Pāṇḍya king, wounding him with extremely fierce arrows described as piercing vital points and blazing like fire.