Shloka 21
Ādi-parva, Adhyāya 187: Drupada’s Inquiry and the Dharma Debate on Draupadī’s Marriage
विव्याध लक्ष्यं निपपात तच्च छिद्रेण भूमौ सहसातिविद्धम् | ततोडन््तरिक्षे च बभूव नाद: समाजमध्ये च महान् निनाद:,और उन्हें चलाकर बात-की-बातमें (लक्ष्य) वेध दिया। वह बिंधा हुआ लक्ष्य अत्यन्त छिन्न-भिन्न हो यन्त्रके छेदसे सहसा पृथ्वीपर गिर पड़ा। उस समय आकाशकमें बड़े जोरका हर्षनाद हुआ और सभामण्डपमें तो उससे भी महान् आनन्द-कोलाहल छा गया
vaishampāyana uvāca |
vivyādha lakṣyaṁ nipapāta tac ca chidreṇa bhūmau sahasātividdham |
tato 'ntarikṣe ca babhūva nādaḥ samājamadhye ca mahān ninādaḥ |
Vaiśampāyana said: He pierced the target, and that target—suddenly struck through and thoroughly perforated—fell to the ground through the opening of the device. Then a loud roar arose in the sky, and within the assembled hall an even greater clamour of joy resounded. The scene marks the public recognition of consummate skill, where success is measured not by violence but by mastery, composure, and the fulfilment of a declared challenge before the community.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Excellence demonstrated in a lawful, publicly witnessed challenge earns legitimate honor. The verse highlights mastery and self-control as socially recognized virtues, where acclaim follows skill exercised within agreed rules rather than mere force.
The challenger successfully pierces the target; the target, thoroughly perforated, drops through the apparatus to the ground. The sky resounds with a roar, and the assembly erupts in even greater jubilant clamour at the feat.