Shloka 8
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 54 — Missile-Exchange and Tactical Redirection
Arjuna, Aśvatthāman, Karṇa
ततः स तेषां पुरुषप्रवीर: शरासनार्चि: शरवेगताप: । व्रातं रथानामदहत् समन्यु- वन यथाग्नि: कुरुपुज्ननाम्,तब पुरुषश्रेष्ठ वीरवर अर्जुन क्रोधसे युक्त हो आग-बबूले हो गये। धनुष मानो उस आगकी ज्वाला थी और बाणोंका वेग ही आँच बन गया था। जैसे आग वनको जला डालती है, उसी प्रकार वे उन कुरुश्रेष्ठ महारथियोंके रथसमूहोंको भस्म करने लगे
tataḥ sa teṣāṃ puruṣapravīraḥ śarāsanārciḥ śaravegatāpaḥ | vrātaṃ rathānām adahat samanyuḥ vanaṃ yathāgniḥ kurupuṅgavānām ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Da entbrannte Arjuna, der Vorkämpfer unter den Menschen, im Zorn; sein Bogen war wie eine Flammenzunge, und die Schnelligkeit seiner Pfeile wie sengende Glut. Wie Feuer, das einen Wald verzehrt, verbrannte er die zusammengeballten Wagen jener Kuru‑Helden und machte sie zu Trümmern.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger and power of anger (manyu): when joined to exceptional capability, it can rapidly escalate violence and destruction. It also portrays the warrior ideal in epic poetry—overwhelming prowess expressed through controlled imagery—inviting reflection on how inner states (like wrath) shape outward action in war.
Arjuna, inflamed with anger, attacks the Kuru champions and devastates their assembled chariots. The poet compares him to a forest fire: his bow is the flame and his arrows’ speed is the burning heat, by which he consumes the enemy’s chariot-host.