Shloka 16
सिकता वपन् सव्यसाची राजानमनुगच्छति । असक्ता: सिकतास्तस्य यथा सम्प्रति भारत । असक्तं शरवर्षाणि तथा मोक्ष्यति शत्रुषु,कुन्तीपुत्र सव्यसाची अर्जुन उस समय राजाके पीछे-पीछे जो बालू बिखेरते हुए यात्रा कर रहे थे, उसके द्वारा वे शत्रुओंपर बाण बरसानेकी अभिलाषा व्यक्त करते थे। भारत! इस समय उनके गिराये हुए बालूके कण जैसे आपसमें संसक्त न होते हुए लगातार गिरते हैं, उसी प्रकार वे शत्रुओंपर परस्पर संसक्त न होनेवाले असंख्य बाणोंकी वर्षा करेंगे
sikatā vapan savyasācī rājānam anugacchati | asaktāḥ sikatās tasya yathā samprati bhārata | asaktaṁ śaravarṣāṇi tathā mokṣyati śatruṣu | kuntīputraḥ savyasācī ||
Vidura said: “O Bhārata, the ambidextrous archer Arjuna, Savyasācī, follows behind the king, scattering sand as he walks. As those grains fall in a continuous stream without clinging to one another, so will Kuntī’s son soon loose upon the enemies a shower of arrows—countless, swift, and separate—revealing a restrained yet resolute readiness for righteous battle.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a vivid simile to convey disciplined martial capability: Arjuna’s power is immense, yet expressed with control and purpose. The ethical undertone is that force, when aligned with dharma and duty, should be precise and restrained rather than chaotic or vindictive.
Vidura describes Arjuna walking behind the king while scattering sand. This action is interpreted as a sign and metaphor of Arjuna’s intent and capacity to rain arrows on enemies—like countless grains falling—foreshadowing impending conflict and Arjuna’s decisive role.