Shloka 26
ततः समाप्तभूयिष्ठे तस्मिन् कर्मणि भारत । मन्दीभूते समाजे च वादित्रस्य च नि:स्वने,भारत! इस प्रकार अस्त्र-कौशल दिखानेका अधिकांश कार्य जब समाप्त हो चला, मनुष्योंका कोलाहल और बाजे-गाजेका शब्द जब शान्त होने लगा, उसी समय दरवाजेकी ओरसे किसीका अपनी भुजाओंपर ताल ठोंकनेका भारी शब्द सुनायी पड़ा; मानो वज्र आपसमें टकरा रहे हों। वह शब्द किसी वीरके माहात्म्य तथा बलका सूचक था
tataḥ samāptabhūyiṣṭhe tasmin karmaṇi bhārata | mandībhūte samāje ca vāditrasya ca niḥsvane ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then, O Bhārata, when that display of martial skill had for the most part come to its close, and when the assembly’s clamor and the resonance of the musical instruments had begun to subside, a heavy sound was heard from the direction of the gate—someone striking his own arms in challenge, as though thunderbolts were colliding. That sound proclaimed the prowess and strength of a heroic man.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how true strength announces itself through disciplined presence rather than mere noise: when the crowd and instruments fall silent, a single, deliberate warrior’s gesture becomes a moral and narrative signal—valor joined with self-assurance, foreshadowing the ethical tensions of kṣatriya competition.
As the weapons exhibition/tournament is nearly over and the assembly quiets, a loud, forceful sound is heard from the gate—someone striking his arms in a warrior’s challenge. The text frames this as an omen-like announcement of a powerful hero’s arrival and impending impact on the gathering.