Shloka 29
Arjuna’s Concentrated Archery and the Rout of the Kaurava Mahārathas
Gāṇḍīva-Nirghoṣa Episode
छिन्ने धनुषि पार्थेन सो5न्यदादाय कार्मुकम् | चकार गौतम: सज्यं तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्,अर्जुनद्वारा धनुष काट दिये जानेपर गौतम (कृप) ने दूसरा धनुष लेकर उसपर प्रत्यंचा चढ़ा ली। यह एक अदभुत-सी बात हुई
chinne dhanuṣi pārthena so 'nyad ādāya kārmukam | cakāra gautamaḥ sajyaṃ tad adbhutam ivābhavat ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When Pārtha (Arjuna) had cut Kripa’s bow, Gautama (Kṛpa) at once took up another bow and strung it. The speed and composure with which he recovered in the midst of combat seemed almost wondrous—showing the discipline of a seasoned warrior who does not lose steadiness even when his weapon is broken.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights warrior-discipline: even when one’s weapon is destroyed, a trained fighter maintains steadiness, adapts instantly, and continues without losing self-control—an aspect of kṣatriya-dharma and mental resilience.
Arjuna (Pārtha) cuts Kṛpa’s bow. Kṛpa (called Gautama) immediately takes another bow and strings it, and this swift recovery is described as astonishing.