Shloka 58
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
विधुन्वानौ तु तौ तत्र धनुषी भारसाधने । आच्छादयेतामन्योन्यं ततक्षतुरथेषुभि:
vidhunvānau tu tau tatra dhanuṣī bhārasādhane | ācchādayetām anyonyaṃ tatakṣatur atha iṣubhiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: Allí, los dos guerreros—cada cual empuñando un arco capaz de soportar gran tensión—sacudían sus arcos y, con flechas agudas, se herían mutuamente, cubriendo al otro con una incesante lluvia de proyectiles.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of disciplined martial excellence: strength to bear the bow’s strain, steadiness under pressure, and unwavering engagement in battle. Ethically, it reflects how duty in warfare is expressed through skill, endurance, and resolve rather than hesitation.
Two opposing fighters engage in an intense archery exchange. They brandish their powerful bows and fire sharp arrows so rapidly that each seems to ‘cover’ the other with missiles, repeatedly striking and attempting to overpower the opponent.