Shloka 116
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
ततो दिश: सो<नुदिशकश्न पार्थ: शरै: सुधारै: समरे वितत्य । गाण्डीवशब्देन मनांसि तेषां किरीटमाली व्यथयाञज्चकार
tato diśaḥ so’nudiśaś ca pārthaḥ śaraiḥ sudhāraiḥ samare vitatya | gāṇḍīvaśabdena manāṃsi teṣāṃ kirīṭamālī vyathayāṃ cakāra ||
तदनन्तर पार्थ अर्जुन ने तीक्ष्ण धार वाले बाणों से रणभूमि में समस्त दिशाओं और कोणों को आच्छादित कर दिया; और गाण्डीव की टंकार से किरीटधारी ने शत्रुओं के मन में गहरी व्यथा उत्पन्न कर दी।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of resolute action in a dharma-yuddha: disciplined skill and unwavering courage can shape not only the physical battle but also the moral and psychological landscape, testing the opponents’ steadiness of mind.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna unleashing a dense spread of sharp arrows that seems to fill every direction on the battlefield; simultaneously, the loud twang of his bow Gāṇḍīva intimidates and unsettles the enemy warriors (the Kaurava side).