Shloka 22
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 20 — Yudhiṣṭhira–Duryodhana Encounter and Escalation of Arms
चर्मवर्माणि संछिज्नान्यपतन् भुवि देहिनाम् । विषेहुर्नास्य संस्पर्श द्वितीयस्य पतत्रिण:,उस समय देहधारियोंके चमड़े और कवच कट-कटकर भूतलपर गिर रहे थे। शत्रुसैनिक कर्णके द्वितीय बाणका स्पर्श नहीं सहन कर पाते थे
carma-varmāṇi sañchijñāny apatan bhuvi dehinām | viṣehuḥ nāsya saṁsparśaṁ dvitīyasya patatriṇaḥ ||
Khi ấy, áo da và giáp trụ của các chiến binh bị chém nát, rơi lả tả xuống đất. Quân địch không sao chịu nổi dù chỉ là cái chạm của mũi tên thứ hai của Karṇa.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily serves as battlefield narration rather than moral instruction: it highlights the terrifying efficacy of Karna’s archery and the fragility of bodily protections in war, implicitly underscoring the grave cost of kshatriya conflict.
Sanjaya reports that Karna’s arrows are slicing through warriors’ leather gear and armor so that pieces fall to the ground, and that the opposing soldiers cannot withstand even the impact of his second arrow—indicating rapid, decisive strikes.