Shloka 46
Virāṭa’s Conciliation and Uttara’s Account of the Unseen Champion
Bṛhannadā/Arjuna
ततः प्रहस्य बीभत्सु: पृथुधारेण कार्मुकम् । चिच्छेद गार्ध्रपत्रेण भीष्मस्यादित्यतेजस:,तब अर्जुनने भी हँसकर मोटी धार एवं गीधकी पाँखवाले बाणसे सूर्यके समान तेजस्वी भीष्मका धनुष फिर काट दिया
tataḥ prahasya bībhatsuḥ pṛthudhāreṇa kārmukam | ciccheda gārdhrapatreṇa bhīṣmasyādityatejasaḥ ||
Then Arjuna (Bībhatsu), smiling, severed Bhīṣma’s bow—radiant like the sun—using a broad-edged arrow feathered with vulture-plumes. The moment underscores disciplined prowess in battle: Arjuna disables the opponent’s weapon rather than merely seeking a reckless kill, showing controlled force within the demands of warfare.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid combat, excellence is joined to restraint: the warrior’s power is shown through precise, strategic action—disarming and controlling the encounter—rather than uncontrolled violence.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna, smiling, uses a broad-edged, vulture-feathered arrow to cut Bhīṣma’s sun-bright bow, effectively disabling his weapon in the fight.