Vāraṇāvata-prasaṃsā and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure (वरणावत-प्रशंसा तथा पाण्डव-प्रयाणम्)
अस्या वीर्य निरीक्षध्वं यदन्यस्य न विद्यते । भेत्स्यामीषीकया वीटां तामिषीकां तथान्यया,तुमलोग इसका बल देखो, जो दूसरेमें नहीं है। मैं पहले एक सींकसे उस गुल्लीको बींध दूँगा; फिर दूसरी सींकसे उस पहली सींकको बींधूँगा
asyā vīryaṃ nirīkṣadhvaṃ yad anyasya na vidyate | bhetsyāmīṣīkayā vīṭāṃ tām īṣīkāṃ tathānyayā ||
Droṇa said: “Observe this one’s prowess—such as is not found in another. With a single reed I shall pierce the target; then, with another reed, I shall pierce that very first reed.”
द्रोण उवाच
The verse highlights extraordinary mastery achieved through focused practice and precision, and it frames martial excellence as something to be carefully observed and assessed by a teacher.
Droṇa calls attention to someone’s unmatched ability and announces a striking demonstration: first piercing the target with a reed, and then piercing that first reed with another—showing extreme accuracy and control.