Shloka 18
Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
शयव्रातै: सुतीक्ष्णाग्रै: समादिष्टै: खगैरिव । अर्जुनस्तु खमावत्रे लोहितप्राशनै: खगै:,अर्जुनके धनुषसे छूटे हुए अत्यन्त तीखी धारवाले बाणसमूह मानो रक्त पीनेवाले आकाशबचारी पक्षी थे, उनके द्वारा उन्होंने सम्पूर्ण आकाशको ढँक दिया
śayavrātaiḥ sutīkṣṇāgraiḥ samādiṣṭaiḥ khagair iva | arjunas tu kham āvṛtya lohitaprāśanaiḥ khagaiḥ ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Con andanadas de flechas—afiladas como navajas en la punta y lanzadas en orden—Arjuna cubrió el cielo como si estuviera lleno de aves; aquellas flechas, semejantes a criaturas aladas que surcan el firmamento y beben sangre, oscurecieron toda la bóveda de arriba.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined, well-aimed strength: power guided by control and purpose. In a dharmic frame, martial excellence is not mere aggression but a regulated capacity to restrain and overcome threats through skill and order.
Arjuna releases dense, sharply pointed volleys of arrows that fill and ‘cover’ the sky. The poet compares the arrows to sky-flying birds, even ‘blood-drinking’ ones, emphasizing the intensity and lethal effectiveness of his archery in battle.