Shloka 17
Virāṭa’s Conciliation and Uttara’s Account of the Unseen Champion
Bṛhannadā/Arjuna
ततस्तानि निकृत्तानि शरजालानि भागश: । समरे च व्यशीर्यन्त फाल्गुनस्य रथं प्रति,तदनन्तर रणभूमिमें कटकर टुकड़े-टुकड़े हुए वे बाणसमूह अर्जुनके रथपर बिखरने लगे
tatastāni nikṛttāni śarajālāni bhāgaśaḥ | samare ca vyaśīryanta phālgunasya rathaṃ prati ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Thereupon, those volleys of arrows, having been cut down, broke apart into fragments; and on the battlefield they scattered in pieces toward Phālguna’s chariot. The scene underscores Arjuna’s disciplined mastery in war—force restrained by skill—where even deadly weapons are rendered harmless through controlled prowess rather than reckless fury.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, excellence is shown through disciplined skill and restraint: destructive force can be neutralized by mastery, protecting one’s side without uncontrolled aggression.
A mass of arrows aimed toward Arjuna (Phālguna) is cut down; the severed arrows break into fragments and scatter across the battlefield toward his chariot.