Shloka 18
Virāṭa’s Conciliation and Uttara’s Account of the Unseen Champion
Bṛhannadā/Arjuna
तत:ः कनकपुड्खानां शरवृष्टिं समुत्थिताम् । पाण्डवस्य रथात् तूर्ण शलभानामिवायतिम् | व्यधमत् तां पुनस्तस्य भीष्म: शरशतै: शितै:,इसके बाद पुनः पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनके रथसे टिड्डियोंके दलकी भाँति तुरंत ही सोनेके पंखवाले बाणोंकी वर्षा प्रारम्भ हुई; किंतु भीष्मने सैकड़ों पैने बाणोंद्वारा उसे फिर शान्त कर दिया
tataḥ kanakapunkhānāṃ śaravṛṣṭiṃ samutthitām | pāṇḍavasya rathāt tūrṇaṃ śalabhānām ivāyatim || vyadhamat tāṃ punas tasya bhīṣmaḥ śaraśataiḥ śitaiḥ ||
Da erhob sich vom Wagen des Pāṇḍava ein schneller Schauer goldbefiederter Pfeile, der sich wie ein Heuschreckenschwarm ausbreitete. Doch Bhīṣma schlug mit Hunderten scharfer Geschosse jenen heranflutenden Waffenregen abermals nieder und brachte ihn zum Verstummen.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined prowess: even when force surges suddenly (a rapid arrow-storm), superior control and skill can restrain and neutralize it. In dharmic warfare, effectiveness is tied not only to aggression but to mastery and measured response.
A swift barrage of golden-fletched arrows rises from the Pāṇḍava’s chariot (understood as Arjuna). Bhīṣma answers by striking down and dispersing that missile-rain with hundreds of sharp arrows, effectively calming the attack.