Shloka 14
Kṛtavarmā–Sātyaki Chariot Duel and Kaurava Morale Shock (कृतवर्म-सात्यकि-द्वैरथम्)
सततं द्विपेन्द्रे सहसा पतन्त- मविध्यदन्निप्रतिमै: पृषत्कैः । कर्मारधौतैर्निशितैज्वलद्धि- नरिाचमुख्यैस्त्रिभिरुग्रवेगै:
sa-tataṁ dvipendre sahasā patantam avidhyad agnipratimaiḥ pṛṣatkaiḥ | karmāra-dhautair niśitaiḥ jvalad-dhīnarācaiḥ mukhyais tribhir ugra-vegaiḥ ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Nang biglang sumugod ang maringal na elepante, agad itong tinamaan ni Dhṛṣṭadyumna ng tatlong pangunahing palasong nārāca—matatalim ang talim, pinakinis ng panday, at nagliliyab na parang apoy—na pinakawalan sa nakapanghihilakbot na lakas. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito ang walang humpay na tindi ng digmaan, kung saan ang husay at mabilis na kilos ang nagtatakda ng buhay at kamatayan, kahit laban sa isang makapangyarihang nilalang na itinulak sa labanan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the battlefield ethic of decisive action (kṣātra-dharma): when danger rushes in, hesitation can be fatal. It also reflects the Mahābhārata’s sober view of war—prowess and craftsmanship (well-forged weapons) amplify destruction, reminding readers that skill is morally weighty when used in violence.
Sañjaya narrates that a powerful elephant suddenly charges, and Dhṛṣṭadyumna immediately wounds it with three excellent nārāca arrows—sharp, smith-polished, and fire-like—shot with great force.