Shloka 293
विस्फार्य सशरं चापं तूर्णमश्वानचोदयत् । वे द्रोणपुत्रके वधका निश्चय करके सुवर्णभूषित विचित्र अंगोंवाले रथपर आरूढ़ हुए। उन्होंने बाण और प्रत्यंचासहित एक सुन्दर एवं विचित्र धनुष हाथमें लेकर नकुलको सारथि बनाया तथा बाणसहित धनुषको फैलाकर तुरंत ही घोड़ोंको हँकवाया
visphārya saśaraṃ cāpaṃ tūrṇam aśvān acodayat |
Vaiśampāyana said: Having strung and drawn his bow, already fitted with arrows, he at once urged the horses forward. Resolute to slay Droṇa’s son, they mounted a chariot adorned with gold and fashioned with wondrous, varied parts. Taking in hand a beautiful, uncommon bow with its string and arrows, he made Nakula his charioteer; then, spreading the bow with arrows ready, he immediately drove the horses on.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly martial intent becomes irreversible action: once the bow is drawn and the horses are driven, the warrior’s decision moves from thought to deed, bringing ethical responsibility for the consequences.
The speaker describes a warrior preparing for immediate combat—drawing a bow already supplied with arrows and ordering the chariot’s horses forward, signaling the start of swift engagement.