Shloka 29
Vāraṇāvata-praveśa and Jatugṛha-saṃdeha
Entry into Vāraṇāvata and Suspicion of the Lac-House
कृत्वा धनुषि ते मार्गान् रथचर्यासु चासकृत् । गजपृष्ठे<श्वपृष्ठे च नियुद्धे च महाबल:,उन महाबली राजकुमारोंने पहले धनुष-बाणके पैंतरे दिखाये। तदनन्तर रथ-संचालनके विविध मार्गों (शीघ्र ले जाना, लौटा लाना, दायें, बायें और मण्डलाकार चलाना आदि)-का अवलोकन कराया। फिर कुश्ती लड़ने तथा हाथी और घोड़ेकी पीठपर बैठकर युद्ध करनेकी चातुरीका परिचय दिया
kṛtvā dhanuṣi te mārgān rathacaryāsu cāsakṛt | gajapṛṣṭhe 'śvapṛṣṭhe ca niyuddhe ca mahābalaḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Those mighty princes, having first demonstrated the various maneuvers of archery, then repeatedly displayed the different courses of chariot-driving—swift advance, withdrawal, turning right and left, and circling. Thereafter they showed their skill in close combat and in fighting while mounted on the backs of elephants and horses.” In context, the verse highlights disciplined training and mastery of martial arts as a royal duty, implying that power is to be tempered by rigorous practice and controlled technique rather than mere aggression.
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that royal power and warriorhood are grounded in disciplined training and technical mastery. Martial capability is presented as a cultivated duty (kṣatriya-dharma), implying that strength should be guided by skill, control, and preparedness rather than impulsive violence.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra describes a public demonstration of the princes’ military education: first archery maneuvers, then advanced chariot-driving patterns, and finally proficiency in close combat and mounted fighting from elephants and horses.