Shloka 26
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
विचकर्ष धर्नुर्दिव्यं ततः कौरवनन्दन: । यन्त्रस्येवेह शब्दो5 भून्महांस्तस्य पुनः पुन:
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
vicakarṣa dhanuḥ divyaṃ tataḥ kauravanandanaḥ |
yantrasyeva iha śabdo 'bhūt mahāṃs tasya punaḥ punaḥ ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Entonces Arjuna, orgullo de la estirpe de los Kurus, tensó la cuerda de su arco divino. Una y otra vez brotó de él un gran y resonante tañido, como el estruendo de una máquina bien impulsada.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power aligned with dharma is marked by restraint and mastery: Arjuna’s controlled drawing of the divine bow symbolizes disciplined capability—strength that is prepared and purposeful, not impulsive.
The narrator describes Arjuna tightening/drawing his divine bow; its repeated, thunderous twang sounds like a machine, emphasizing his readiness and the formidable potency of his weapon.