Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 32
द्वैपायनह्रदे दुर्योधनान्वेषणम् / The Search for Duryodhana at Dvaipāyana Lake
शक्त्यूष्टिप्रासहस्तानां बलानामभिगर्जताम् । संकल्पमकरोन्मोघं गाण्डीवेन धनंजय:
sañjaya uvāca | śakty-uṣṭi-prāsa-hastānāṃ balānām abhigarjatām | saṅkalpam akarod moghaṃ gāṇḍīvena dhanaṃjayaḥ, mahārāja |
Sañjaya said: O King, as your troops—brandishing spears, uṣṭis, and prāsas—roared in challenge, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) made their entire resolve futile with his Gāṇḍīva bow.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a dharmic war setting, mere aggression and loud bravado do not ensure success; disciplined mastery and steady resolve (here, Arjuna’s controlled use of Gāṇḍīva) can neutralize an opponent’s intentions. The verse highlights how effective action, not noise, determines outcomes.
Sanjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava troops, roaring while holding spears and similar weapons, advanced with determination, but Arjuna countered so effectively with his bow that their plan and momentum became fruitless.