Shloka 21
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 54 — Missile-Exchange and Tactical Redirection
Arjuna, Aśvatthāman, Karṇa
तमापतन्तं सहसा किरीटी वैकर्तनं वै तरसाभिपत्य । प्रगृह्य वेग न््यपतज्जवेन नागं गरुत्मानिव चित्रपक्ष:
tam āpatantaṃ sahasā kirīṭī vaikartanaṃ vai tarasābhipatya | pragṛhya vegaṃ nyapatajjavena nāgaṃ garutmān iva citrapakṣaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: Nang makita ni Arjuna na may putong ang biglang pagsugod ni Karṇa—anak ni Sūrya—siya’y lumundag pasulong nang buong lakas. Sinunggaban niya ang pagkakataon at dumagok nang mabilis—gaya ni Garuḍa na may sari-saring pakpak na sumisisid sa isang ahas. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito ang dharma ng mandirigma: salubungin ang paparating na paglusob nang walang pag-aatubili, at tumbasan ito ng lakas na may pagpipigil, hindi ng takot.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma: when confronted by sudden aggression, a warrior must respond decisively and with disciplined strength. Courage here is not reckless rage but controlled readiness to protect honor and duty.
Karṇa charges suddenly; Arjuna, identified as Kirīṭī, surges forward and attacks with great speed. The poet compares Arjuna’s swift assault to Garuḍa swooping down upon a serpent.