Shloka 116
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
ततो दिश: सो<नुदिशकश्न पार्थ: शरै: सुधारै: समरे वितत्य । गाण्डीवशब्देन मनांसि तेषां किरीटमाली व्यथयाञज्चकार,तदनन्तर तीखी धारवाले बाणोंसे युद्धस्थलमें सम्पूर्ण दिशाओं और कोणोंको आच्छादित करके किरीटधारी अर्जुनने गाण्डीव धनुषकी टंकारसे कौरवोंके मनमें भारी व्यथा उत्पन्न कर दी
tato diśaḥ so’nudiśaś ca pārthaḥ śaraiḥ sudhāraiḥ samare vitatya | gāṇḍīvaśabdena manāṃsi teṣāṃ kirīṭamālī vyathayāṃ cakāra ||
Sañjaya said: Then Pārtha (Arjuna) spread his keen-edged arrows across the battlefield, covering all directions and intermediate quarters. And with the thunderous twang of the Gāṇḍīva bow, the diademed warrior struck deep distress into the hearts of those foes.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of resolute action in a dharma-yuddha: disciplined skill and unwavering courage can shape not only the physical battle but also the moral and psychological landscape, testing the opponents’ steadiness of mind.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna unleashing a dense spread of sharp arrows that seems to fill every direction on the battlefield; simultaneously, the loud twang of his bow Gāṇḍīva intimidates and unsettles the enemy warriors (the Kaurava side).