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 ||
三阇耶说道：那头象王骤然冲来之时，德利什塔丢摩那立刻以三支最上等的那罗遮箭射中它——刃口锋利，经铁匠磨光，灼灼如火——挟着可怖的劲力疾射而出。此景彰显战阵之无情与炽烈：技艺与迅捷往往在瞬息间裁决生死，即便面对被驱入厮杀的庞然巨兽亦然。
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.