Shloka 25
अध्याय ४ — दुर्योधनस्य असंधि-निश्चयः
Duryodhana’s Refusal of Reconciliation
त्रासयन्तं तथा योधान् धनुर्घोषेण पाण्डवम् । भूय एनमपश्याम सिंहं मृगगणानिव
trāsayantaṃ tathā yodhān dhanurghoṣeṇa pāṇḍavam | bhūya enam apaśyāma siṃhaṃ mṛgagaṇān iva ||
Sañjaya dit : «Nous ne cessions de voir ce Pāṇḍava (Arjuna) terrifier les guerriers par le tonnerre de son arc, comme un lion épouvante les hardes de cerfs.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in righteous warfare, morale and psychological impact matter: Arjuna’s mere bow-roar becomes a force that breaks the enemy’s confidence. It also reflects the epic’s portrayal of kṣatriya-dharma, where prowess is measured not only by blows struck but by the ability to protect one’s side and unsettle adharma-aligned opposition.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna is repeatedly seen on the battlefield frightening the opposing warriors with the resounding twang of his bow, compared to a lion terrifying a herd of deer—emphasizing Arjuna’s dominance and the panic spreading among the enemy ranks.