Shloka 20
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
ततोअस्मै प्राहिणोद् द्रोण: शरानधिकविंशतिम् । अप्राप्तांश्वैव तान् पार्थश्रचिच्छेद कृतहस्तवत्
tato ’smai prāhiṇod droṇaḥ śarān adhika-viṁśatim | aprāptāṁś caiva tān pārthaś ciccheda kṛta-hastavat ||
Entonces Droṇa le disparó más de veinte flechas. Pero Pārtha (Arjuna), antes de que aquellos dardos pudieran siquiera acercarse al blanco, los cortó en pleno vuelo, como si sus manos estuvieran perfectamente adiestradas en ese arte—mostrando un dominio disciplinado, y no mera furia en combate.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined mastery (abhyāsa and saṁyama) in action: true excellence in battle is shown not by uncontrolled aggression but by precise, timely skill—suggesting an ethical ideal of controlled power.
Droṇa releases a volley of over twenty arrows at Arjuna; Arjuna intercepts and cuts them down before they can reach him, demonstrating superior reflexes and consummate training.