Shloka 121
अध्याय १४८ — कर्णप्रभावः, धृष्टद्युम्नस्य विरथता, तथा घटोत्कच-आह्वानम्
Chapter 148: Karṇa’s Pressure, Dhṛṣṭadyumna Unhorsed, and the Summoning of Ghaṭotkaca
सर्वभारसहं शश्वद् गन्धमाल्यार्चितं शरम् । विससर्जार्जुनस्तूर्ण सैन्धवस्य वधे धृतम्,श्रीकृष्णका यह वचन सुनकर अपने दोनों गलफर चाटते हुए अर्जुनने सिंधुराजके वधके लिये धनुषपर रखे हुए उस बाणको तुरंत ही छोड़ दिया, जिसका स्पर्श इन्द्रके वजके समान कठोर था, जिसे दिव्य मन्त्रोंसे अभिमन्त्रित किया था, जो सारे भारोंको सहनेमें समर्थ था और जिसकी प्रतिदिन चन्दन और पुष्पमालाद्वारा पूजा की जाती थी
saṃjaya uvāca | sarvabhārasahaṃ śaśvad gandhamālyārcitaṃ śaram | visasargarjunas tūrṇaṃ saindhavasya vadhe dhṛtam ||
Sañjaya said: Arjuna swiftly released the arrow that had been set upon the bow for the slaying of Saindhava—an arrow capable of bearing every burden, ever honored with sandal-paste and flower garlands.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights decisive action aligned with a chosen duty: once the aim is fixed (here, the vowed slaying of Saindhava), hesitation is set aside. It also reflects the traditional ethic that power (weapons) is to be treated with reverence and restraint, not as mere instruments of violence.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, prompted by Kṛṣṇa’s words, immediately releases the specially honored and powerful arrow that had been readied on his bow for the purpose of killing Saindhava (Jayadratha).