Shloka 26
Kṛpa’s Archery Display; Śikhaṇḍin Checked; Suketu Slain; Dhṛṣṭadyumna–Kṛtavarmā Clash (कृपशौर्य–पार्षतहार्दिक्ययुद्धम्)
महामेघं महाघोरें दर्दुरः प्रतिनर्दसि । बाणतोयप्रदं लोके नरपर्जन्यमर्जुनम्
mahāmeghaṃ mahāghoreṃ darduraḥ pratinardasi | bāṇatoyapradaṃ loke naraparjanyam arjunam ||
संजय बोले—जैसे महाभयंकर महामेघ के सामने कोई मेढक टर्र-टर्र करके प्रत्युत्तर दे, वैसे ही तुम संसार में बाणरूपी जल की वर्षा करने वाले मानव-मेघ अर्जुन को लक्ष्य करके गर्जना कर रहे हो।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse criticizes hollow bravado: loud threats without matching strength are as futile as a frog’s croak against a terrifying storm-cloud. Ethical force in battle is linked to real capability and disciplined action, not mere noise.
Sañjaya describes a warrior’s loud challenge directed at Arjuna. He uses a sharp simile—frog versus thundercloud—to emphasize Arjuna’s overwhelming, arrow-raining power and to belittle the challenger’s confidence.