Shloka 2
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 42 — Duryodhana’s counsel to Bhīṣma on ajñātavāsa risk and raid strategy
उत्तरने पूछा--बृहन्नले! जिसपर सोनेकी सौ फूलियाँ जड़ी हैं, जिसके दोनों सिरे बहुत ही मजबूत और चमकी ले हैं, यह उत्तम धनुष किस यशस्वी वीरका है? ।। वारणा यत्र सौवर्णा: पृष्ठे भासन्ति दंशिता: । सुपार्श्व सुग्रहं चैव कस्यैतद् धनुरुत्तमम्
Uttara uvāca — vāraṇā yatra sauvarṇāḥ pṛṣṭhe bhāsanti daṃśitāḥ | supārśva-sugṛhaṃ caiva kasyaitad dhanur uttamam ||
Uttara sprach: „O Bṛhannalā! Dieser vortreffliche Bogen—auf dessen Rücken goldene Beschläge wie Nieten glänzen und dessen beide Enden überaus fest und strahlend sind—welchem ruhmreichen Helden gehört er?“
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya value of discerning martial excellence and honoring renowned warriors through their weapons; it frames weapons as markers of responsibility and rightful use in defense and duty.
Prince Uttara, speaking to Bṛhannalā (Arjuna in disguise), notices a superb bow with golden fittings and asks whose famous hero’s weapon it is, setting up the revelation and arming for the coming conflict.