Shloka 15
Kṛtavarmā–Sātyaki Chariot Duel and Kaurava Morale Shock (कृतवर्म-सात्यकि-द्वैरथम्)
ततो<5परान् पञ्चशतान् महात्मा नाराचमुख्यान् विससर्ज कुम्भे । स तैस्तु विद्ध: परमद्विपो रणे तदा परावृत्य भृशं प्रदुद्रवे
tato ’parān pañcaśatān mahātmā nārācamukhyān visasarga kumbhe | sa tais tu viddhaḥ paramadvipo raṇe tadā parāvṛtya bhṛśaṃ pradudrave ||
三阇耶说道：随后，那位大心之士又向象额的隆起处连发五百支精选的那罗遮箭。象王在阵中被射得遍体鳞伤、创痛难当，便转身背离战斗，以极快的速度逃遁而去。此景昭示：战争里，即便最可怖的强力也会在无休止的穿刺下崩塌；而暴力——纵然战术上奏效——往往只驱使众生陷入恐惧与奔逃，并非真正的胜利。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring Mahābhārata insight: physical might and pride are fragile under sustained harm, and violence often produces fear-driven retreat rather than any moral resolution. It also reflects the harsh kṣatriya battlefield ethic—skillful targeting and overwhelming force decide outcomes, even against majestic creatures.
Sañjaya describes Dhṛṣṭadyumna releasing five hundred superior nārāca arrows aimed at the elephant’s kumbha (frontal globe). The elephant, badly wounded, turns away from the battle and flees rapidly.