Shloka 28
शमीवृक्षस्थायुधप्रकाशनम् / Revelation and Identification of the Weapons on the Śamī Tree
वैशम्पायन उवाच इत्युक्त्वा प्राद्रवद् भीतो रथात् प्रस्कन्द्य कुण्डली । त्यक्त्वा मानं च दर्प च विसृज्य सशरं धनु:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! ऐसा कहकर मान और अभिमानको त्यागकर बाणसहित धनुषको वहीं छोड़कर कुण्डलधारी राजकुमार उत्तर रथसे कूद पड़ा और भयभीत होकर भाग चला
vaiśampāyana uvāca | ity uktvā prādravad bhīto rathāt praskandya kuṇḍalī | tyaktvā mānaṃ ca darpaṃ ca visṛjya saśaraṃ dhanuḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having spoken thus, the ear-ringed prince leapt down from the chariot and, seized by fear, ran away. Casting aside both self-respect and arrogance, he abandoned his bow together with its arrows.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of pride: when real danger appears, arrogance and even a sense of honor can collapse. It implicitly contrasts outward warrior symbols (bow, arrows, chariot) with inner steadiness and courage required for kṣatriya-dharma.
After speaking, the ear-ringed prince Uttara jumps down from the chariot in fear, flees, and leaves behind his bow and arrows—signaling panic and retreat at a critical moment in the Virāṭa episode.