Shloka 20
अर्जुन–उलूपीसंवादः
Arjuna and Ulūpī: Explanation of Śānti and the Maṇipūra Resolution
तस्यापतत एवाशु गदां हेमपरिष्कृताम् । शरैश्वकर्त बहुधा बहुभिग्गुप्रवाजितै:,उसके आते ही अर्जुनने गृध्रपंखयुक्त बहुसंख्यक बाणोंद्वारा उसकी सुवर्णभूषित गदाके शीघ्र ही अनेक टुकड़े कर डाले
tasyāpatata evāśu gadāṃ hemapariṣkṛtām | śaraiś cakarta bahudhā bahubhir gṛdhrapravājitaiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: As soon as he rushed in, Arjuna swiftly shattered his gold-adorned mace into many pieces with numerous arrows fitted with vulture-feathers—an act showing disciplined mastery in battle, neutralizing a deadly weapon without needless delay.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined kṣatriya conduct: in a dangerous encounter, one should act swiftly and skillfully to neutralize a lethal threat, using proportionate force and mastery rather than uncontrolled rage.
As an opponent charges wielding a gold-decorated mace, Arjuna immediately fires many vulture-feathered arrows and breaks the mace into multiple pieces, preventing its use in close combat.