Shloka 5
Arjuna’s Approach, Drona’s Recognition, and the Turning of the Cattle (अर्जुनागमनम्, द्रोणवाक्यम्, गोगमनिवृत्तिः)
शराणां पुड्खसक्तानां मौर्व्याभिहतया दृढम् । श्रूयतां तलयो: शब्दो भेयोराहतयोरिव,पाँखवाले बाणोंको धनुषकी प्रत्यज्चापर चढ़ाकर भलीभाँति खींचनेके पश्चात् मेरी दोनों हथेलियोंका ऐसा शब्द होता है, जैसे दो नगाड़े पीटे गये हों। आज वह शब्द आपलोग सुनें
śarāṇāṃ puḍkha-saktānāṃ maurvy-abhihatayā dṛḍham | śrūyatāṃ talayoḥ śabdo bheyor āhatayor iva ||
Karna sprach: „Wenn ich Pfeile mit festgesetztem Federende auf die Sehne lege und die Sehne hart spanne, fährt aus meinen beiden Handflächen ein dröhnender Knall hervor, wie das Schlagen eines Paares Kesseltrommeln. Hört alle heute diesen Klang!“
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of demonstrating capability and confidence in battle; ethically, it also illustrates how pride and self-assertion function as persuasive tools in a martial assembly, sometimes blurring the line between rightful confidence and boastful arrogance.
Karna is speaking before others in a war-related context, asserting his strength and readiness by describing the loud sound produced when he forcefully draws the bow with arrows set—comparing it to the beating of two war-drums—and inviting the audience to witness it.