Shloka 23

अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः

Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon

Devanagari script

एवं प्रववृते युद्ध भारद्वाजकिरीटिनो: । सम॑ विमुञज्चतो संख्ये विशिखान्‌ दीप्ततेजस:,इस प्रकार भरद्वाजनन्दन द्रोण और किरीटथारी अर्जुनमें युद्ध छिड़ गया। वे दोनों समरभूमिमें (एक दूसरेपर) समानरूपसे तेजस्वी बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगे

Transliteration

evaṁ pravavṛte yuddhe bhāradvāja-kirīṭinoḥ | samaṁ vimuñcato saṅkhye viśikhān dīpta-tejasaḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Thus the battle began between Bhāradvāja’s son Droṇa and the diadem-bearing Arjuna. On the field of combat, both of them, equal in resolve, began releasing blazing arrows upon one another—an encounter that displays the stern ethic of kṣatriya warfare, where mastery and duty are tested without retreat.

Word by Word

एवम्thus, in this manner

प्रवृत्तेwhen (it was) begun/engaged

युद्धेin the battle

भारद्वाजof Bharadvaja (i.e., Drona's lineage)

किरीटिनोःof the diadem-wearer (Arjuna) (dual genitive in coordination)

समम्equally, evenly

विमुञ्चतः(they) release, discharge

संख्येin the combat, in the battle

विशिखान्arrows

दीप्ततेजसःthe two of blazing splendor

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Droṇa (Bhāradvāja’s son)

Arjuna (Kirīṭin)

arrows (viśikha)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic: when duty calls, warriors meet openly in combat, matching skill with skill. It frames warfare not as chaos but as a disciplined test of resolve and mastery, where neither side yields in commitment.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates that a direct battle breaks out between Droṇa and Arjuna. Both stand in the battlefield and shower each other with brilliant arrows, indicating an intense, evenly matched duel.