Shloka 16
इष्वस्त्रे चास्त्रसंधाने लाघवे<स्त्रबले तथा । सदृश: फाल्गुनेनासि कृष्णेन च महात्मना,“बाण चलाने, दिव्यास्त्रोंका संधान करने, फुर्ती दिखाने तथा अस्त्रबलमें तुम अर्जुन तथा महात्मा श्रीकृष्णके समान हो
iṣv-astre cāstra-sandhāne lāghave ’strabale tathā | sadṛśaḥ phālgunenāsi kṛṣṇena ca mahātmanā ||
Sañjaya said: “In the use of arrows and weapons, in the fitting and deployment of divine missiles, in quickness of action, and in sheer martial power, you are equal to Arjuna (Phālguna) and to the great-souled Kṛṣṇa.” In the ethical frame of the epic, this is praise that measures a warrior’s worth by disciplined skill and controlled power—abilities that, when aligned with dharma, become instruments of rightful protection rather than mere violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that true martial excellence includes mastery, precision, and agility—power that should be governed by discipline. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical horizon, such capability is admirable when subordinated to dharma, not to pride or cruelty.
Sañjaya reports a statement of high praise: the addressed warrior is said to match Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa in archery, in preparing and releasing astras, in speed, and in weapon-power—placing him among the foremost combatants of the Kurukṣetra war.