Shloka 56
अश्वमेधीयस्य हयस्य दक्षिणापश्चिमगमनम् — The Sacrificial Horse’s Southern and Western Circuit
क्षुरैगाण्डीवनिर्मुक्ति्नातियत्नादिवार्जुन: । वे गाण्डीव धनुषसे छूटे हुए तेज धारवाले धुरोंसे बिना परिश्रमके ही उनके मस्तक काटने लगे
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: kṣuraiḥ gāṇḍīva-nirmuktaiḥ nāti-yatnād iva Arjunaḥ | te gāṇḍīva-dhanuṣaḥ chūṭe huye teja-dhāra-vāle dhurōṃ se binā pariśrama ke hī unke mastak kāṭne lage |
বৈশম্পায়নে ক’লে—গাণ্ডীৱৰ পৰা নিক্ষিপ্ত ক্ষুৰধাৰ বাণে অৰ্জুনে যেন অতি সামান্য পৰিশ্ৰমতে ৰণক্ষেত্ৰত সিহঁতৰ মস্তক ছেদন কৰি একে একে ভূমিত পেলাবলৈ আৰম্ভ কৰিলে।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how perfected martial skill can make killing seem effortless; ethically, it invites reflection on the responsibility that accompanies power—especially in a post-war setting where the line between necessary force and excess can become thin.
Vaiśampāyana describes Arjuna releasing razor-like, keen-edged missiles from the Gāṇḍīva and, with minimal exertion, cutting down opponents by severing their heads—an image of decisive, overwhelming archery.