Shloka 46
Adhyāya 16: Saṃśaptaka-vrata and the Diversion of Arjuna (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६)
शीघ्रमभ्यस्यतो बाणान् संदधानस्य चानिशम् | नान्तरं ददृशे कश्चित् कौन्तेयस्थ यशस्विन:,वे अपने बाणोंके महान् समुदायसे द्रोणाचार्यको मोहमें डालते हुए-से आच्छादित करने लगे। यशस्वी कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुन इतनी शीघ्रताके साथ निरन्तर बाणोंको धनुषपर रखते और छोड़ते थे कि किसीको इन दोनों क्रियाओंमें तनिक भी अन्तर नहीं दिखायी देता था
sañjaya uvāca | śīghram abhyasyato bāṇān sandadhānasya cāniśam | nāntaraṃ dadṛśe kaścit kaunteyasya yaśasvinaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: As the glorious son of Kuntī (Arjuna) swiftly practiced and, without pause, kept fitting arrows to his bow, no one could perceive any interval between the placing of the arrow and its release. By that dense and unbroken shower of missiles, he seemed to bewilder and veil Droṇācārya, asserting mastery in battle through disciplined skill rather than mere rage.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined mastery (abhyāsa) and unwavering focus (aniśam) as the basis of effective action. In the ethical frame of kṣatriya-dharma, excellence in one’s duty is shown not as impulsive violence but as trained, controlled skill directed toward the demands of the battlefield.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna shooting with such continuous speed that observers cannot distinguish the moment of nocking an arrow from the moment of releasing it. The resulting dense barrage appears to confuse and conceal Droṇa, as if Arjuna is covering him with a cloud of arrows.