Shloka 21
क्षणात् प्रांशु: क्षणाद् हस्व: क्षणाच्च रथधूर्गत: । क्षणेन रथमध्यस्थ: क्षणेनावतरन्महीम्,वे क्षणभरमें बहुत लंबे हो जाते और क्षणभरमें ही बहुत छोटे बन जाते थे। एक क्षणमें रथके धुरेपर खड़े होते तो दूसरे क्षण रथके बीचमें दिखायी देते थे। फिर पलक मारते-मारते पृथ्वीपर उतरकर अस्त्र-कौशल दिखाने लगते थे
kṣaṇāt prāṃśuḥ kṣaṇād hrasvaḥ kṣaṇāc ca rathadhūr-gataḥ | kṣaṇena ratha-madhya-sthaḥ kṣaṇenāvataraṇ mahīm ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “In an instant he would appear tall, and in an instant short. One moment he was seen standing upon the chariot’s pole, the next moment in the very middle of the chariot; and in the blink of an eye he would descend to the earth, displaying his mastery of weapons.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that true martial excellence lies in disciplined control, speed, and precision—power expressed through mastery and restraint rather than uncontrolled aggression.
A warrior’s astonishing agility is being described: he seems to change stature instantly, shifts positions on the chariot from the pole to the center, then swiftly descends to the ground to demonstrate weapon-skill.