Shloka 25
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
व्यस्मयन्त ततो योधा ये तत्रासन् समागता: । शरान् विसृजतोस्तूर्ण साधु साध्वित्यपूजयन्,तदनन्तर जो-जो सैनिक वहाँ आये थे, वे एक-दूसरेपर तीव्र गतिसे बाण-वर्षा करनेवाले दोनों वीरोंकी 'साधु-साधु" कहकर सराहना करने लगे---
vyasmayanta tato yodhā ye tatrāsan samāgatāḥ | śarān visṛjatostūrṇaṃ sādhu sādhv ity apūjayan |
Vaiśampāyana said: Then the warriors who had gathered there were struck with wonder. As they watched the two heroes swiftly showering arrows at one another, they praised them aloud, crying, “Well done! Well done!”—honouring martial excellence even amid the peril of combat.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kṣatriya ethos: even in conflict, excellence, courage, and skill are publicly acknowledged. Ethical admiration is directed toward disciplined prowess rather than mere hatred of an opponent.
A crowd of assembled warriors watches two combatants exchange rapid volleys of arrows. The spectators are amazed and repeatedly acclaim both fighters with cries of “sādhu, sādhu,” thereby honouring their performance.