Shloka 9
पाण्डवपरिचयः—विराटसभायां प्रकाशनम्
Identification of the Pāṇḍavas in Virāṭa’s Court
ततो दिशश्वानुदिशो विवृत्य शरै: सुधारैर्निशितै: सुपत्रै: । गाण्डीवघोषेण मनांसि तेषां महाबल: प्रव्यथयाज्चकार
tato diśaś cānudiśo vivṛtya śaraiḥ sudhārair niśitaiḥ supatraiḥ | gāṇḍīvaghoṣeṇa manāṃsi teṣāṃ mahābalaḥ pravyathayāc cakāra ||
Entonces aquel guerrero de gran poder, esparciendo sus flechas—de filo agudo, punta acerada y buenas plumas—cubrió todas las direcciones y los puntos intermedios. Con el estruendoso tañido del arco Gāṇḍīva, infundió hondo temor y turbación en los corazones de aquellos combatientes kaurava, quebrando su resolución en medio de la batalla.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how prowess in battle is not only physical but also psychological: disciplined skill and a formidable presence can break an opponent’s confidence. In the kṣatriya context, such mastery serves the duty of protecting order (dharma) by decisively subduing aggressors.
A mighty warrior (contextually Arjuna) unleashes a dense spread of sharp, well-feathered arrows that seem to fill every direction. Simultaneously, the terrifying twang of the Gāṇḍīva bow shakes the hearts of the opposing Kaurava fighters, throwing them into distress.