Shloka 19
Duryodhana’s Anxiety, Bhīṣma’s Reassurance, and Renewed Mobilization (दुर्योधनचिन्ता–भीष्मप्रत्याश्वासन–सेनानिर्गमनम्)
आकर्णप्रहितैस्ती3्ष्णैवेंगवद्धिरजिद्वागै: । अविध्यत् तूर्णमव्यग्र: कुरुराज॑ महोरसि
ākarṇaprahitaiḥ tīkṣṇaiḥ vegavaddhir ajidvāgaiḥ | avidhyat tūṇam avyagraḥ kururājaṃ mahorasi ||
سنجے نے کہا—کان تک کھینچ کر چھوڑے گئے، ہوا کی سی تیزی سے لپکتے اور ناقابلِ روک تیز تیروں سے اُس نے بے اضطراب رہتے ہوئے فوراً کورو راج کو اس کے کشادہ سینے میں چھید دیا۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior ideal of steadiness (avyagra) and disciplined focus amid chaos. Ethically, it reflects the Mahabharata’s tension: excellence and composure can be virtues, yet in war they serve destructive ends—inviting reflection on duty, consequence, and the cost of conflict.
Sañjaya describes a combat moment where a warrior, using fully drawn and swift arrows, rapidly strikes the Kuru king in the chest, doing so with calm concentration rather than agitation.