Shloka 56
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
विचकर्ष ततो दोर्भ्या धनुर्जलदनि:स्वनम् | अथास्य तदपि क्रुद्धश्चिच्छेद धनुरजुन:,फिर मेघके समान गम्भीर शब्द करनेवाले उस धनुषको दोनों हाथोंसे खींचा। इतनेहीमें कुपित हुए अर्जुनने उनके उस धनुषको भी काट डाला
sañjaya uvāca | vicakarṣa tato dorbhyāṃ dhanur jaladanisvanam | athāsya tad api kruddhaś ciccheda dhanur arjunaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then, with both his arms, he drew back the bow that resounded like a thundercloud. But Arjuna, angered, swiftly cut down that bow as well—showing how, in the heat of battle, resolve and skill can decisively neutralize an opponent’s means of violence, even as wrath threatens to overtake restraint.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights decisive action in righteous combat: a warrior may need to disable an opponent’s weapon swiftly. At the same time, it implicitly warns that anger (krodha) arises easily in war and must be governed by dharma and discipline, lest skill become mere wrath.
Sañjaya describes a combat moment: an opponent draws a thunderous bow with both arms; Arjuna, provoked and angry, responds by cutting that bow as well—neutralizing the enemy’s immediate capacity to fight.