Shloka 17
Arjuna’s Concentrated Archery and the Rout of the Kaurava Mahārathas
Gāṇḍīva-Nirghoṣa Episode
पार्थोडपि विश्रुतं लोके गाण्डीवं परमायुधम् । विकृष्य चिक्षेप बहून् नाराचान् मर्मभेदिन:,तब अर्जुनने भी अपने विश्वविख्यात उत्तम आयुध गाण्डीवको (कानतक) खींचकर बहुत-से मर्मभेदी नाराच छोड़े
pārtho 'pi viśrutaṁ loke gāṇḍīvaṁ paramāyudham | vikṛṣya cikṣepa bahūn nārācān marmabhedinaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Arjuna too, famed throughout the world, drew his supreme weapon—the Gāṇḍīva bow—and, pulling it taut, hurled many nārāca arrows that pierce vital points.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined power: a righteous warrior applies force with mastery and precision, aiming to neutralize harm effectively rather than indulging in uncontrolled violence.
Arjuna, renowned in the world, draws his famous Gāṇḍīva bow and releases many nārāca arrows that strike vital points, indicating the start or intensification of decisive combat action.