Shloka 19
Adhyāya 21 — Duryodhanasya bāṇavarṣaḥ
Duryodhana’s Arrow-Storm and the Dust-Obscured Engagements
तदादाय धनु: श्रेष्ठ वरिष्ठ: सर्वधन्विनाम् आरोप्य च धनु: शीघ्र॑ं महावीयों महाबल:,सम्पूर्ण धनुर्धरोंमें श्रेष्ठ महाबली एवं महापराक्रमी युयुधानने उस उत्तम धनुषको लेकर शीघ्र ही उसपर बाण चढ़ाया और कृतवमकि द्वारा अपने धनुषका काटा जाना सहन न करके उन अतिरथी वीरने कुपित हो शीघ्रतापूर्वक उसपर आक्रमण किया
tadādāya dhanuḥ śreṣṭhaṃ variṣṭhaḥ sarva-dhanvinām | āropya ca dhanuḥ śīghraṃ mahāvīryo mahābalaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Taking up that excellent bow—the finest among all archers—he swiftly strung it. The mighty and powerful warrior, renowned for great valor, prepared at once for renewed combat, refusing to endure the humiliation of having his bow cut and moving to strike back in anger.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Kṣatriya code where martial readiness and the defense of honor drive swift action; it also implicitly warns how wounded pride can intensify anger and escalate violence.
Sañjaya narrates that a great warrior takes up an excellent bow and quickly strings it, preparing to re-enter the fight immediately after a provoking setback, signaling an imminent counterattack.