Shloka 19
धृतराष्ट्रस्य बलाबलचिन्ता
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Strength and Preference for Śama
क्षिपत्येकेन वेगेन पजच बाणशतानि य: । सदृशं बाहुवीयेंण कार्तवीर्यस्य पाण्डवम्
kṣipaty ekena vegena pañca bāṇaśatāni yaḥ | sadṛśaṃ bāhuvīryeṇa kārtavīryasya pāṇḍavam ||
বৈশম্পায়ন বললেন—যে একটিমাত্র প্রবল বেগে পাঁচশো তীর নিক্ষেপ করতে পারে, আর যার বাহুবল কার্তবীর্যের তুল্য—সেই পাণ্ডবকে আমি এই মহাযুদ্ধে যেন শত্রুসেনা বিনাশ করতে উদ্যত দেখছি।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that when a dharma-conflict reaches an unavoidable climax, the outcome hinges not only on claims of right but also on the capacity to uphold that right. Arjuna’s near-superhuman discipline and speed symbolize focused agency—power that, in the epic’s ethical frame, is meant to serve rightful order rather than personal cruelty.
Vaiśaṃpāyana describes Arjuna’s battlefield capability in prophetic, anticipatory language: Arjuna can unleash five hundred arrows in a single rush and matches the legendary Kārtavīrya in arm-strength. The statement heightens the sense that, once war begins, Arjuna will be a decisive force against enemy armies.