Shloka 4
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
अथवा: शोणा: प्रकाशन्ते बृहन्तश्नारुवाहिन: । स्निग्धविद्रुमसंकाशास्ताम्रास्या: प्रियदर्शना: । युक्ता रथवरे यस्य सर्वशिक्षाविशारदा:
arjuna uvāca | athavā śoṇāḥ prakāśante bṛhantaśnārūvāhinaḥ | snigdhavidrumasaṅkāśās tāmrāsyāḥ priyadarśanāḥ | yuktā rathavare yasya sarvaśikṣāviśāradāḥ |
Arjuna dit : « Ou bien encore, vois ces chevaux d’un rouge châtain : grands, nerveux, assez forts pour porter le poids du char, luisants comme du corail poli, à la bouche cuivrée et d’aspect agréable. Attelés au plus noble des chars, ils sont parfaitement dressés en toute discipline. Un tel char et de tels coursiers désignent Droṇa, fils de Bharadvāja, héros rayonnant aux longs bras, renommé pour sa vaillance. »
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment and respect for excellence: Arjuna identifies a warrior by the disciplined quality of his chariot-team, implying that true prowess is supported by training, order, and mastery rather than mere display.
Arjuna is pointing out distinguishing signs—especially the splendid, well-trained horses yoked to a superior chariot—to indicate that the chariot belongs to Droṇa, the famed son of Bharadvāja.