Shloka 23
Arjuna’s Concentrated Archery and the Rout of the Kaurava Mahārathas
Gāṇḍīva-Nirghoṣa Episode
चतुर्भिश्नतुरस्तीक्ष्णैरविध्यत् परमेषुभि: । ते हया निशितैर्बाणैज्वलद्धिरिव पन्नगै: | उत्पेतु: सहसा सर्वे कृप: स्थानादथाच्यवत्
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
caturbhiś caturās tīkṣṇair avidhyat parameṣubhiḥ |
te hayā niśitair bāṇair jvaladdhir iva pannagaiḥ |
utpetuḥ sahasā sarve kṛpaḥ sthānād athācyavat ||
Vaiśampāyana said: With four supremely keen arrows, he pierced the four horses. Struck by those sharp shafts—like serpents blazing with fire—all the horses suddenly sprang up, and Kṛpa was jolted from his position and fell from the chariot.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined martial conduct: by targeting the horses, the warrior neutralizes the opponent’s chariot and control, demonstrating strategic restraint and skill rather than gratuitous killing—an aspect often associated with dharma-yuddha ideals.
Four sharp arrows strike the four horses of Kṛpa’s chariot. The wounded horses rear up suddenly, and the shock causes Kṛpa to lose his seat and fall from his position.