Shloka 24
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
तावुभौ ख्यातकर्माणावुभौ वायुसमौ जवे । उभौ दिव्यास्त्रविदुषावुभावुत्तमतेजसौ । क्षिपन्ती शरजालानि मोहयामासतुर्न॒पान्
tāv ubhau khyātakarmāṇāv ubhau vāyusamau jave | ubhau divyāstraviduṣāv ubhāv uttamatejasau | kṣipantī śarajālāni mohayāmāsatur nṛpān ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Tous deux étaient renommés pour leurs exploits, et, par la vitesse, semblables au vent. Tous deux connaissaient les armes célestes, tous deux flamboyaient d’un éclat souverain. En se couvrant mutuellement de filets de flèches, ils plongèrent les rois dans la stupeur, si bien que les spectateurs distinguaient à peine le cours du combat — image d’une splendeur martiale qui avertit aussi que le spectacle et la prouesse peuvent obscurcir le jugement.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Extraordinary power and technical mastery can mesmerize observers and obscure discernment; the verse implicitly cautions that brilliance in warfare, while admirable in kṣatriya terms, can also generate moha (confusion) in those who watch and judge.
Two celebrated, wind-swift warriors—both skilled in divine weapons—exchange dense volleys of arrows. Their rapid, radiant display is so intense that the assembled kings are left bewildered, unable to clearly follow the fight.