Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 1
Arjuna’s Concentrated Archery and the Rout of the Kaurava Mahārathas
Gāṇḍīva-Nirghoṣa Episode
हि >> आय न [हुक है आम सप्तपञ्चाशत्तमो<्ध्याय: कृपाचार्य और 58302 तथा कौरवपक्षके सैनिकोंद्वारा कपायायका हटा ले जाना वैशम्पायन उवाच दृष्टवा व्यूढान्यनीकानि कुरूणां कुरुनन्दन । तत्र वैराटिमामन्त्रय पार्थो वचनमब्रवीत्
Vaiśampāyana uvāca | dṛṣṭvā vyūḍhāny anīkāni kurūṇāṁ kurunandana | tatra vairāṭim āmantrya pārtho vacanam abravīt ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Janamejaya, descendant of Kuru, seeing the Kuru forces drawn up in battle formation, Pārtha (Arjuna)—mindful of dharma as the clash drew near—addressed the prince of Virāṭa and spoke these words.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharma in action: a wise warrior first assesses the situation (the enemy array) and then gives timely counsel to a younger ally, modeling responsible leadership and composure at the threshold of conflict.
As the Kuru forces stand arranged in battle formation, Arjuna (still in the Virāṭa context) turns to Prince Uttara, addresses him directly, and begins to speak—setting up the instructions and actions that follow in the chapter.