Shloka 42
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
द्रौणिस्तदपि राजेन्द्र भल्लै: क्षिप्रं महारथ:
sañjaya uvāca |
drauṇis tad api rājendra bhallaiḥ kṣipraṁ mahārathaḥ |
rājendra śīghratāpūrvaka-hasta-cālanavān sudṛḍhāyudha-dhārī vīra-mahārathī aśvatthāmā samara-aṅgaṇe anekaiḥ bhallaiḥ rathād avarohituṁ pūrvam eva dhṛṣṭadyumnasya tāṁ ḍhāla-tālavāraṁ api ciccheda |
etad adbhutam iva abhavat ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: O hari, gayon man, si Aśvatthāman—dakilang mandirigmang-karwahe, mabilis kumilos at matatag sa sandata—ay sa larangan ng digmaan, sa pamamagitan ng maraming matutulis na palaso, pinutol pati ang kalasag at espada ni Dhṛṣṭadyumna bago pa man siya makababa sa karwahe. Tunay na kagila-gilalas ang gawang iyon.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary skill and speed in war can abruptly overturn an opponent’s readiness; it also underscores the grim momentum of battle, where prowess intensifies violence and drives the conflict toward harsher consequences.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Ashvatthama, using many broad-headed arrows, swiftly severs Dhrishtadyumna’s shield and sword before Dhrishtadyumna can even get down from his chariot—an act described as astonishing.