Shloka 26
Vāraṇāvata-praveśa and Jatugṛha-saṃdeha
Entry into Vāraṇāvata and Suspicion of the Lac-House
ते सम लक्ष्याणि बिभिदुर्बाणै्नामाड्कशोभितै: । विविधैरलाघवोत्सूष्टैरुह्मुन्तो वाजिभिरद्द्रूतम्,वे राजकुमार घोड़ोंपर सवार हो अपने नामके अक्षरोंसे सुशोभित और बड़ी फुर्तीके साथ छोड़े हुए नाना प्रकारके बाणोंद्वारा शीघ्रतापूर्वक लक्ष्यवेध करने लगे
te sama-lakṣyāṇi bibhidur bāṇair nāmāṅka-śobhitaiḥ | vividhair alāghavotsṛṣṭair uhmyanto vājibhir adrūtam ||
Dijo Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Comenzaron a atravesar con rapidez los blancos dispuestos, con muchas clases de flechas —soltadas con gran presteza y adornadas con las marcas de sus propios nombres— mientras los caballos, espoleados, corrían a toda velocidad.
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores disciplined martial practice: skill (śaurya) is cultivated through controlled training and precision, reflecting a kṣatriya’s duty to master weapons responsibly rather than use force impulsively.
In a display of princely prowess, the young royals ride swiftly and, while their horses are urged forward, they rapidly strike the designated targets with various arrows, some marked with their own names.