Shloka 119
अर्जुनस्य शीघ्रप्रयाणं भीम-शकुनियुद्धं च
Arjuna’s Rapid Advance and the Bhīma–Śakuni Encounter
विधुन्वानो महच्चापं कार्तस्वरविभूषितम् । आददान: शरान् घोरान् स्वरश्मीनिव भास्कर:
vidhunvāno mahācāpaṃ kārtasvaravibhūṣitam | ādadānaḥ śarān ghorān svaraśmīn iva bhāskaraḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Inaalog ni Aśvatthāmā, anak ni Droṇa, ang kanyang malaking busog na pinalamutian ng kumikislap na ginto, at sinunggaban ang mga palasong kakila-kilabot—gaya ng Araw na taglay ang sarili nitong mga sinag—at dagling tumindig sa harap ni Arjuna, ang pinakadakila sa mga nagwawaging bayani, matapos pabagsakin ni Arjuna ang pakpak at panangga-pakpak ng kaaway sa labang iyon.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare breeds continual retaliation: even after a decisive feat by a righteous hero, another powerful warrior rises with renewed fury. Ethically, it points to the self-perpetuating nature of violence and the way martial excellence can intensify conflict rather than end it.
After Arjuna has cut down the enemy’s formations (“wings and counter-wings”), Aśvatthāmā advances to confront him. He brandishes a large gold-adorned bow and takes up fearsome arrows, compared to the Sun holding its rays, signaling his formidable presence and intent to engage Arjuna directly.