Shloka 26
Ulūpī–Citravāhinī Saṃvāda: Dhanaṃjaya-patana and Prāya-threat
विमुज्चाम्येष ते बाणान् पुत्र युद्धे स्थिरो भव | इत्येवमुक्त्वा नाराचैरभ्यवर्षदमित्रहा,“अच्छा बेटा! अब मैं तुमपर बाण छोड़ता हूँ। तुम सावधान एवं स्थिर हो जाओ।” ऐसा कहकर शत्रुसूदन अर्जुनने बभ्रुवाहनपर नाराचोंकी वर्षा आरम्भ कर दी
vimuñcāmy eṣa te bāṇān putra yuddhe sthiro bhava | ity evam uktvā nārācair abhyavarṣad amitrahā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “My son, I now release these arrows at you; stand firm and steady in battle.” Having spoken thus, Arjuna—the slayer of foes—began to shower Babhruvāhana with sharp nārāca arrows.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic of steadiness (sthairya) and alert composure in combat: even when emotions are involved (a father addressing a son), one must act with disciplined firmness and readiness, without wavering.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna addresses Babhruvāhana as “son,” warns him to remain steady in battle, and then begins a fierce missile-exchange by showering him with nārāca arrows.