Shloka 83
तथापि त॑ प्रस्फुरदात्तकार्मुकं त्रिभि: शरैर्यन्तृशिर: क्षुरेण । हयांश्वतुर्भिश्व पुनस्त्रिभिर्ध्वजं धनंजयो द्रौणिरथादपातयत्,तब अर्जुनने तीन बाणोंसे चमकते हुए उसके धनुषको, एक छुरके द्वारा सारथिके मस्तकको, चार बाणोंसे उसके चारों घोड़ोंको तथा तीनसे उसके ध्वजको भी अभश्वत्थामाके रथसे नीचे गिरा दिया
tathāpi taṁ prasphuradāttakārmukaṁ tribhiḥ śarair yantṛśiraḥ kṣureṇa | hayāṁś caturbhiś ca punas tribhir dhvajaṁ dhanaṁjayo drauṇirathād apātayat ||
Gayunman, si Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) ay nagpatumba mula sa karwahe ni Aśvatthāman: sa tatlong palaso, ang kumikislap niyang busog na nakataas; sa isang palasong may ulong parang labaha, ang ulo ng tagapagpatakbo ng karwahe; sa apat na palaso, ang apat na kabayo; at muli sa tatlong palaso, ang watawat. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito ang malupit na katumpakan ng husay sa digmaan—kung saan ang pagkamaster sa sandata, hindi awa, ang naghahari sa agarang kinalabasan, habang ang mas malaking digmaan ay patuloy na sumusubok sa hangganan ng dharma.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the immediacy of war, technical mastery and decisive action dominate; yet it implicitly raises ethical tension: even rightful combat (kṣatriya-dharma) can involve extreme violence, reminding readers that dharma in war is complex and often judged by intent, necessity, and proportionality.
Arjuna (Dhanañjaya) devastates Aśvatthāman’s chariot setup: he knocks down the bow, kills the charioteer with a razor-edged shot, brings down the four horses, and fells the banner—effectively disabling the chariot and turning the tide of that exchange.