Shloka 19
आचार्य-क्षमा, देśa–kāla-नīti, तथा भेद-दोषः
Teacher-Reconciliation, Timing-Policy, and the Fault of Factionalism
गाण्डीवस्थ च शब्देन कर्ण मे बधिरीकृतौ । स मुहूर्त प्रयातं तु पार्थो वैराटिमब्रवीत्,गाण्डीव धनुषकी टंकारसे तो मेरे दोनों कान बहरे हो गये हैं। इस प्रकार दो घड़ीतक आगे बढ़नेपर अर्जुनने विराटकुमार उत्तरसे कहा--
gāṇḍīvastha ca śabdena karṇau me badhirīkṛtau | sa muhūrta-prayātaṁ tu pārtho vairāṭim abravīt ||
Uttara said: “By the sound of the Gāṇḍīva being strung, my ears have been made deaf.” After they had advanced for a short while, Pārtha (Arjuna) then addressed the prince of Virāṭa.
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological and ethical pivot in a dharmic conflict: the unmistakable sound of Arjuna’s bow symbolizes readiness and righteous resolve, dispelling fear and signaling that duty will now be carried out with competence and steadiness.
Uttara, overwhelmed by the thunderous sound of the Gāṇḍīva being readied, remarks that his ears feel deafened. Shortly after moving forward, Arjuna (Pārtha) begins speaking to Uttara, marking Arjuna’s assumption of control and guidance in the impending confrontation.