Shloka 24
Draupadī Meets Kṛṣṇa’s Queens — Narratives of the Lord’s Marriages and the Queens’ Bhakti
मत्स्याभासं जले वीक्ष्य ज्ञात्वा च तदवस्थितिम् । पार्थो यत्तोऽसृजद् बाणं नाच्छिनत् पस्पृशे परम् ॥ २४ ॥
matsyābhāsaṁ jale vīkṣya jñātvā ca tad-avasthitim pārtho yatto ’sṛjad bāṇaṁ nācchinat paspṛśe param
نظر أرجونا إلى انعكاس السمكة في الماء فعرف موضعها. ثم أطلق سهمه بحذر، لكنه لم يثقب الهدف، بل مسَّه مسًّا خفيفًا ومضى.
According to the explanation of Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, Arjuna was more expert a marksman than the other kings, but his physical strength was not adequate to the task of shooting it with perfect accuracy.
FAQs
It describes Arjuna’s one-pointed focus: he recognizes the fish seen in water is only a reflection and successfully hits the real target beyond it.
To highlight disciplined concentration and correct discernment—seeing through appearances and acting with precision, a hallmark of heroic dharma.
Treat distractions as reflections and aim for the real goal—steady attention on sādhana (japa, hearing, and service) rather than chasing superficial impressions.