Shloka 18
Saumadatti-vadha and Bhīma–Alambusa-saṃyoga (सौमदत्तिवधः तथा भीमालम्बुससंयोगः)
वह एकाग्रचित्त हो उस श्रेष्ठ धनुषको हाथमें लेकर एक धनुर्धरको जैसे खड़ा होना चाहिये, वैसे खड़ा हुआ। फिर उसने बाणसहित उस उत्तम धनुषको विधिपूर्वक खींचा ।। तस्य मौर्वी च मुष्टिं च स्थान चालक्ष्य पाण्डव: । श्र॒त्वा मन्त्र भवप्रोक्त जग्राहाचिन्त्यविक्रम:,उस समय अचिन्त्य पराक्रमी पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनने उसका मुद्ठीसे धनुष पकड़ना, धनुषकी डोरीको खींचना और विशेष प्रकारसे उसका खड़ा होना--इन सब बातोंकी ओर लक्ष्य रखते हुए भगवान् शंकरके द्वारा उच्चारित मन्त्रको सुनकर मनसे ग्रहण कर लिया
sa ekāgracitto bhūtvā śreṣṭhaṃ dhanuḥ pāṇau gṛhītvā yathā dhanuṣmān tiṣṭhet tathā tiṣṭhati sma | tataḥ sa bāṇasahitam uttamaṃ dhanuḥ vidhivat ākarṣat || tasya maurvīṃ ca muṣṭiṃ ca sthānaṃ cālakṣya pāṇḍavaḥ | śrutvā mantraṃ bhavaproktam jagrāha acintyavikramaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: With his mind gathered into single-pointed focus, he took up that excellent bow and stood in the proper stance of a master archer. Then, in due form, he drew that superb bow with an arrow set upon it. Observing the bowstring, the grip, and the exact posture, the Pāṇḍava Arjuna—of inconceivable prowess—heard the mantra spoken by Bhava (Śiva) and inwardly received it, fixing it in his mind. The scene underscores disciplined practice joined with reverent receptivity: power is not merely seized by force, but mastered through right method and sanctified instruction.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
True strength is refined through disciplined method (vidhivat) and focused mind (ekāgracitta), and it becomes ethically grounded when received through rightful instruction—here symbolized by Arjuna inwardly taking up Śiva’s mantra rather than relying on mere force.
An expert archer demonstrates correct stance, grip, and bowstring control while drawing a bow with an arrow; Arjuna carefully observes these technical details and, upon hearing a mantra uttered by Bhava (Śiva), mentally assimilates it—uniting martial precision with sacred empowerment.