Shloka 7
आदि पर्व, अध्याय 139 — Hiḍimba’s Detection and Hiḍimbā’s Approach to Bhīma
ऋजुवक्रविशालानां प्रयोक्ता फाल्गुनो5भवत् | लाघवे सौष्ठवे चैव नान्य: कश्षन विद्यते,अर्जुन अत्यन्त दृढ़तापूर्वक मुद्ठीसे धनुषको पकड़नेमें, हाथोंकी फुर्तीमें और लक्ष्यको बींधनेमें बड़े चतुर निकले। वे क्षुरु, नाराचः, भललः और विपाठ४ नामक ऋजु, वक्र और विशाल” अस्त्रोंके संचालनका गूढ़ तत्त्व अच्छी तरह जानते और उनका सफलतापूर्वक प्रयोग कर सकते थे। इसलिये द्रोणाचार्यको यह दृढ़ विश्वास हो गया था कि फुर्ती और सफाईमें अर्जुनके समान दूसरा कोई योद्धा इस जगतमें नहीं है। एक दिन द्रोणने कौरवोंकी भरी सभामें निद्राको जीतनेवाले अर्जुनसे कहा---
ṛjuvakraviśālānāṁ prayoktā phālguno 'bhavat | lāghave sauṣṭhave caiva nānyaḥ kaścana vidyate ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Phālguna (Arjuna) became the adept user of straight-flying, curved, and broad-headed missiles. In lightness of hand and in refined skill there was, indeed, no other to equal him. The verse underscores how disciplined mastery and steadiness in practice make Arjuna uniquely fit for the responsibilities of a warrior trained under Droṇa—skill joined to control, not mere force.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True martial excellence is not brute strength but disciplined mastery—agility (lāghava) and refined proficiency (sauṣṭhava). The verse presents Arjuna as exemplary because his skill is controlled, precise, and reliable, aligning with the ethical ideal of a trained kṣatriya.
Vaiśampāyana describes Arjuna’s exceptional competence in handling different kinds of missiles—straight, curved, and broad—emphasizing that no other warrior matches him in agility and polished technique. This supports the broader episode of the princes’ training and the recognition of Arjuna’s superiority.