Shloka 26
Vāraṇāvata-praveśa and Jatugṛha-saṃdeha
Entry into Vāraṇāvata and Suspicion of the Lac-House
ते सम लक्ष्याणि बिभिदुर्बाणै्नामाड्कशोभितै: । विविधैरलाघवोत्सूष्टैरुह्मुन्तो वाजिभिरद्द्रूतम्,वे राजकुमार घोड़ोंपर सवार हो अपने नामके अक्षरोंसे सुशोभित और बड़ी फुर्तीके साथ छोड़े हुए नाना प्रकारके बाणोंद्वारा शीघ्रतापूर्वक लक्ष्यवेध करने लगे
te sama-lakṣyāṇi bibhidur bāṇair nāmāṅka-śobhitaiḥ | vividhair alāghavotsṛṣṭair uhmyanto vājibhir adrūtam ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: They began to pierce the set targets swiftly with many kinds of arrows—arrows released with great quickness, adorned with the marks of their own names—while their horses, urged on, sped along. The scene highlights princely discipline and competitive skill, where prowess is displayed under rules rather than for wanton harm.
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores disciplined martial practice: skill (śaurya) is cultivated through controlled training and precision, reflecting a kṣatriya’s duty to master weapons responsibly rather than use force impulsively.
In a display of princely prowess, the young royals ride swiftly and, while their horses are urged forward, they rapidly strike the designated targets with various arrows, some marked with their own names.