Shloka 24
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 29 — Arjuna’s defeat of Vṛṣaka–Acalā and the neutralization of Śakuni’s māyā
सबाण: सथनुश्चाहं ससुरासुरमानुषान् । शक्तो लोकानिमाजउ्जेतुं तच्चापि विदितं तव,“आपको तो यह भी विदित है कि यदि मेरे हाथमें धनुष और बाण हो तो मैं देवता, असुर और मनुष्योंसहित इन सम्पूर्ण लोकोंपर विजय पा सकता हूँ
sa-bāṇaḥ sa-dhanuś cāhaṃ sa-surāsura-mānuṣān | śakto lokān imān jetuṃ tac cāpi viditaṃ tava ||
Sañjaya said: “Armed with arrows and bow, I am capable of conquering these worlds along with gods, demons, and men—and you already know this as well.” The statement underscores martial confidence and the vast scope of war’s ambition, while implicitly reminding the listener that mere power to conquer does not by itself settle the ethical weight of the conflict.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the distinction between capability and righteousness: immense martial power and the ability to conquer even cosmic opponents do not automatically confer moral legitimacy; ethical judgment (dharma) remains a separate and necessary measure.
Sañjaya reports a forceful assertion of prowess—claiming that, with bow and arrows in hand, the speaker could subdue all realms including gods, asuras, and humans—emphasizing the scale of confidence and the warlike mindset surrounding the events of Droṇa Parva.