Shloka 119
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
सर्वाणि सैन्यानि तु तावकानि यतो यतो गाण्डिवज: प्रणाद: । ततस्तत: संनतिमेव जग्मु- न त॑ प्रतीपोडभिससार कश्चित्,जहाँ-जहाँ गाण्डीव धनुषकी टंकार होती, वहाँ-वहाँ आपके सारे सैनिक मस्तक टेक देते थे। कोई भी उनके प्रतिकूल आक्रमण नहीं करता था
sarvāṇi sainyāni tu tāvakāni yato yato gāṇḍīvajaḥ praṇādaḥ | tatastataḥ saṃnatim eva jagmuḥ na taṃ pratīpo 'bhisasāra kaścit ||
Sañjaya said: Wherever the thunderous twang of the Gāṇḍīva bow resounded, there your entire host would bow down in submission. From no quarter did anyone dare rush against him in a hostile charge—such was the overpowering force of that sound and the fear it awakened on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how inner resolve and recognized excellence can shape outcomes in war: morale collapses when a force confronts an opponent whose prowess is unmistakable. Ethically, it underscores the kṣatriya-world reality that courage, reputation, and steadfastness are decisive, and that fear can make even large armies lose initiative.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna’s presence is so dominant that, wherever the sound of his Gāṇḍīva is heard, the Kaurava troops lower themselves in submission and do not mount a counter-charge against him.