Shloka 9
पाण्डवपरिचयः—विराटसभायां प्रकाशनम्
Identification of the Pāṇḍavas in Virāṭa’s Court
ततो दिशश्वानुदिशो विवृत्य शरै: सुधारैर्निशितै: सुपत्रै: । गाण्डीवघोषेण मनांसि तेषां महाबल: प्रव्यथयाज्चकार
tato diśaś cānudiśo vivṛtya śaraiḥ sudhārair niśitaiḥ supatraiḥ | gāṇḍīvaghoṣeṇa manāṃsi teṣāṃ mahābalaḥ pravyathayāc cakāra ||
Kemudian sang pahlawan perkasa itu, dengan anak panah yang tajam, runcing, dan berbulu indah, menutupi segala penjuru dan arah antara. Dengan dentang menggelegar busur Gāṇḍīva, ia menanamkan gentar dan keguncangan ke dalam hati para pejuang Kaurava, menggoyahkan keteguhan mereka di tengah laga.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how prowess in battle is not only physical but also psychological: disciplined skill and a formidable presence can break an opponent’s confidence. In the kṣatriya context, such mastery serves the duty of protecting order (dharma) by decisively subduing aggressors.
A mighty warrior (contextually Arjuna) unleashes a dense spread of sharp, well-feathered arrows that seem to fill every direction. Simultaneously, the terrifying twang of the Gāṇḍīva bow shakes the hearts of the opposing Kaurava fighters, throwing them into distress.