Shloka 41
Arjuna’s Concentrated Archery and the Rout of the Kaurava Mahārathas
Gāṇḍīva-Nirghoṣa Episode
त॑ तु योधा: परीप्सन्त: शारद्वतममर्षणम् | सर्वतः समरे पार्थ शरवर्षरवाकिरन्
te tu yodhāḥ parīpsantaḥ śāradvata-mamarṣaṇam | sarvataḥ samare pārtha śaravarṣa-ravākiran ||
Para kesatria itu, berniat menundukkan Śāradvata (Kṛpa) yang sukar ditahan dan tak tertanggungkan di medan laga, wahai Pārtha, menghujaninya dari segala penjuru dengan deru bagaikan badai anak panah.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring Mahābhārata tension: battlefield necessity often pushes warriors toward collective tactics (surrounding and massed missile fire) when facing an exceptionally formidable opponent. It invites reflection on how ideals of fair combat are strained under the pressure to neutralize overwhelming strength.
A group of warriors attempts to subdue Śāradvata (Aśvatthāman). Unable to check him easily, they attack from all directions, unleashing a loud, dense rain of arrows in the midst of battle, as the narrator addresses Arjuna (Pārtha).