Shloka 12
मुद्गलोपाख्यानम् — व्रीहिद्रोणदानं, दुर्वाससः परीक्षा, स्वर्गगुणप्रश्नः
Mudgala Episode: Rice-measure Charity, Durvāsas’ Test, Inquiry on Heaven
ते बद्धा: शरजालेन शकुन्ता इव पञ्जरे | ववर्षुरर्जुनं क्रोधाद् गदाशक्त्यृष्टिवृष्टिभि:,उस जालनमें वे उसी प्रकार बँँध गये, जैसे पिंजड़ेमें पक्षी। अतः वे अत्यन्त कुपित होकर अर्जुनपर गदा, शक्ति और ऋष्टि आदि अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंकी वर्षा करने लगे
te baddhāḥ śarajālena śakuntā iva pañjare | vavarṣur arjunaṁ krodhād gadāśaktyṛṣṭivṛṣṭibhiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Caught fast in Arjuna’s net of arrows like birds trapped in a cage, they—burning with anger—pelted Arjuna with a shower of weapons, hurling maces, spears, and lances.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger (krodha) can override judgment: even when opponents are effectively neutralized by superior strategy (a ‘net of arrows’), they may lash out with indiscriminate violence. Ethically, it cautions that wrath and wounded pride lead to escalation rather than wise restraint.
Arjuna has trapped his opponents with a dense, controlling barrage of arrows—likened to birds caught in a cage. Enraged at being checked, they respond by launching volleys of heavy weapons (maces, spears, lances) at Arjuna.