Shloka 48
सो<श्मवर्ष महावेगैरिषुभि: पाकशासनि: । विलयं गमयामास हर्षयन् पितरं तथा,यह देख इन्द्रकुमार अर्जुनने अपने पिताका हर्ष बढ़ाते हुए महान् वेगशाली बाणोंद्वारा पत्थरोंकी उस वृष्टिको फिर विलीन कर दिया
so ’śmavarṣaṁ mahāvegair iṣubhiḥ pākaśāsaniḥ | vilayaṁ gamayāmāsa harṣayan pitaraṁ tathā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Pākaśāsani (Arjuna), with arrows of tremendous speed, caused that shower of stones to dissolve and vanish, thereby gladdening his father as well. The episode highlights disciplined martial skill used not for reckless destruction, but to meet a challenge decisively and uphold honor in the presence of one’s elders.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Excellence in action (skill with weapons) should be guided by restraint and purpose—meeting a threat effectively while upholding honor and bringing rightful satisfaction to one’s elders, rather than acting from rage or vanity.
Arjuna counters a fierce rain of stones by releasing swift arrows that neutralize it, making the stone-shower disappear, and in doing so he pleases his father (Indra), who witnesses his prowess.