Shloka 27
Vāraṇāvata-prasaṃsā and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure (वरणावत-प्रशंसा तथा पाण्डव-प्रयाणम्)
द्रोण उवाच एषा मुष्टिरिषीकाणां मयास्त्रेणाभिमन्त्रिता,द्रोण बोले--ये मुदट्ठीभर सींकें हैं, जिन्हें मैंने अस्त्र-मन्त्रके द्वारा अभिमन्त्रित किया है
droṇa uvāca | eṣā muṣṭir iṣīkāṇāṁ mayāstreṇābhimantritā |
Droṇa said: “This handful of reed-shafts has been consecrated by me with a weapon-mantra. It is not mere grass, but a charged instrument of martial power—meant to demonstrate the potency of disciplined knowledge and the grave responsibility that accompanies the use of astras.”
द्रोण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that martial power in the Mahābhārata is rooted in disciplined knowledge (astra-mantras), and that even ordinary objects can become dangerous when empowered—implying an ethical demand for restraint and responsibility in wielding such knowledge.
Droṇa points out a simple handful of reeds and declares that he has empowered them through an astra-mantra, indicating a demonstration of his mastery and the transformative potency of mantra-based weaponry.