Shloka 293
Adhyaya 11 — Draupadī’s Grief, Demand for Justice, and Bhīma’s Departure
विस्फार्य सशरं चापं तूर्णमश्वानचोदयत् । वे द्रोणपुत्रके वधका निश्चय करके सुवर्णभूषित विचित्र अंगोंवाले रथपर आरूढ़ हुए। उन्होंने बाण और प्रत्यंचासहित एक सुन्दर एवं विचित्र धनुष हाथमें लेकर नकुलको सारथि बनाया तथा बाणसहित धनुषको फैलाकर तुरंत ही घोड़ोंको हँकवाया
visphārya saśaraṃ cāpaṃ tūrṇam aśvān acodayat |
Vaiśampāyana said: Having strung and drawn his bow, already fitted with arrows, he at once urged the horses forward. The verse underscores the swift, resolute momentum of battle—where intention hardens into action and the chariot becomes the instrument by which a warrior’s chosen course, whether righteous or reckless, is carried out.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly martial intent becomes irreversible action: once the bow is drawn and the horses are driven, the warrior’s decision moves from thought to deed, bringing ethical responsibility for the consequences.
The speaker describes a warrior preparing for immediate combat—drawing a bow already supplied with arrows and ordering the chariot’s horses forward, signaling the start of swift engagement.