Shloka 24
प्राग्ज्योतिषे वज्रदत्त-धनंजय-समागमः
Vajradatta Confronts Dhanaṃjaya at Prāgjyotiṣa
तस्मिन् निपतिते दिव्ये महाधनुषि पार्थिव: । जहास सस्वनं हासं धृतवर्मा महाहवे,उस दिव्य महाधनुषके गिर जानेपर महासमरमें खड़ा हुआ धृतवर्मा ठहाका मारकर जोर-जोरसे हँसने लगा
tasmin nipatite divye mahādhanuṣi pārthivaḥ | jahāsa sasvanaṃ hāsaṃ dhṛtavarmā mahāhave ||
When that celestial, mighty bow fell to the ground, Dhṛtavarmā—standing amid the great battle—burst into loud, ringing laughter.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare can erode reverence and self-restraint: a divine weapon’s fall, instead of inspiring sobriety, becomes a trigger for loud mockery—an ethical warning about pride and cruelty in conflict.
As a celestial, powerful bow falls, Dhṛtavarmā—present in the thick of battle—responds by laughing loudly, signaling scorn or triumph at the turn of events.