Shloka 8
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 54 — Missile-Exchange and Tactical Redirection
Arjuna, Aśvatthāman, Karṇa
ततः स तेषां पुरुषप्रवीर: शरासनार्चि: शरवेगताप: । व्रातं रथानामदहत् समन्यु- वन यथाग्नि: कुरुपुज्ननाम्
tataḥ sa teṣāṃ puruṣapravīraḥ śarāsanārciḥ śaravegatāpaḥ | vrātaṃ rathānām adahat samanyuḥ vanaṃ yathāgniḥ kurupuṅgavānām ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Entonces aquel primero entre los hombres—Arjuna—ardió de ira: su arco era como lengua de fuego y la velocidad de sus flechas, como un calor abrasador. Como el incendio que devora un bosque, consumió la masa de carros de aquellos campeones Kuru, reduciéndolos a ruina.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger and power of anger (manyu): when joined to exceptional capability, it can rapidly escalate violence and destruction. It also portrays the warrior ideal in epic poetry—overwhelming prowess expressed through controlled imagery—inviting reflection on how inner states (like wrath) shape outward action in war.
Arjuna, inflamed with anger, attacks the Kuru champions and devastates their assembled chariots. The poet compares him to a forest fire: his bow is the flame and his arrows’ speed is the burning heat, by which he consumes the enemy’s chariot-host.