Shloka 14
Arjuna’s Concentrated Archery and the Rout of the Kaurava Mahārathas
Gāṇḍīva-Nirghoṣa Episode
स तु शब्देन लोकांस्त्रीनावृत्य रथिनां वर: । धनुरादाय सुमहज्ज्याशब्दमकरोत् तदा
sa tu śabdena lokāṁs trīn āvṛtya rathināṁ varaḥ | dhanur ādāya sumahaj jyāśabdam akarot tadā ||
Then the foremost of chariot-warriors, Kṛpācārya, filling the three worlds with that resounding call, took up his mighty bow and, drawing its string, produced a thunderous twang—an announcement of readiness and resolve as the conflict gathered force.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-code aspect of dharma: before engagement, a champion signals readiness openly. The bowstring’s twang functions as a public declaration of resolve and capability, emphasizing courage, discipline, and accountability in conflict.
Vaiśampāyana describes Kṛpācārya as he takes up his great bow and draws the string to make a loud twang that seems to fill the three worlds—an audible sign that battle preparations and confrontation are underway.