Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 20
Śālva’s Elephant Assault and the Counterstroke (शाल्वस्य नागारूढाभ्यवहारः)
अद्यार्जुनभनुर्घोषं घोरं जानातु संयुगे । अस्त्राणां च बलं॑ सर्व बाद्दोश्चन बलमाहवे
sañjaya uvāca |
adyārjunadhanurghoṣaṃ ghoraṃ jānātu saṃyuge |
astrāṇāṃ ca balaṃ sarvaṃ bāhvoś ca balaṃ āhave ||
قال سانجيا: «اليوم، في خضمّ القتال، فليعلم الملك كم هو مُروِّعٌ دويُّ قوس أرجونا؛ وليفهم أيضًا تمامًا قوة أسلحة أرجونا وبأس ذراعيه في ميدان الحرب.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores accountability in leadership: the king must face the consequences of war by recognizing the real power unleashed—Arjuna’s martial prowess—rather than clinging to denial or wishful thinking.
Sañjaya, narrating the battle to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, urges him to realize—here and now—the terrifying sound of Arjuna’s bow and the overwhelming effectiveness of his weapons and arm-strength on the battlefield.