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 ||
Alors Droṇa lança contre lui plus de vingt flèches. Mais Pārtha (Arjuna), avant même que ces traits n’approchent de leur but, les trancha en plein vol, comme si ses mains avaient été parfaitement formées à cet art—déployant une maîtrise disciplinée plutôt qu’une simple fureur guerrière.
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.