Shloka 23
मावमंस्था ममास्त्राणि मावमंस्था भनुर्दढम् | मावमंस्था बल बाद्वोर्मावमंस्था धनंजयम्,प्रभो! आप मेरे अस्त्रोंका अनादर न करें। मेरे इस सुदृढ़ धनुषकी अवहेलना न करें। इन दोनों भुजाओंके बलका तिरस्कार न करें और अपने इस सखा धनंजयका अपमान न करें
arjuna uvāca | māvamam̐sthā mama astrāṇi māvamam̐sthā dhanuḥ dṛḍham | māvamam̐sthā balaṃ bāhvor māvamam̐sthā dhanañjayam, prabho ||
Arjuna said: “Do not slight my weapons; do not dismiss this firm bow of mine. Do not scorn the strength of these two arms, and do not insult your companion Dhanañjaya, O lord. In the heat of battle, contempt and overconfidence are themselves moral faults—disregard for a worthy opponent invites ruin and violates the warrior’s code of respectful combat.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse cautions against contempt and overconfidence in conflict. Ethically, a warrior should recognize the opponent’s capability and maintain honor; to belittle another’s strength is both imprudent and a breach of martial decorum.
In the midst of the Drona Parva battle, Arjuna addresses an adversary (or a challenging figure) and asserts his prowess—his weapons, bow, and arm-strength—demanding respect and warning against underestimating him as Dhanañjaya.