Shloka 16
Śārṅgaka-stuti to Agni during the Khāṇḍava Conflagration (शार्ङ्गक-स्तुतिः / अग्नि-स्तुतिः)
धनुर्मे नास्ति भगवन् बाहुवीर्येण सम्मितम् । कुर्वतः समरे यत्नं वेगं यद् विषहेन्मम,परंतु मेरे पास मेरे बाहुबलके अनुरूप धनुष नहीं है, जो समरभूमिमें युद्धके लिये प्रयत्न करते समय मेरा वेग सह सके
arjuna uvāca | dhanur me nāsti bhagavan bāhuvīryeṇa sammitam | kurvataḥ samare yatnaṃ vegaṃ yad viṣahen mama ||
Arjuna said: “O revered one, I do not have a bow proportionate to the strength of my arms—one that could endure the force of my speed when I exert myself in battle.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Competent action—especially in warfare—requires appropriate means. Arjuna emphasizes proportionality: tools and responsibilities should match one’s capacity, otherwise effort can become harmful, futile, or ethically compromised.
Arjuna addresses a revered figure and states that he lacks a bow suited to his arm-strength—one capable of withstanding the force generated when he fights with full exertion in battle.