Shloka 19
मुद्गलोपाख्यानम् — व्रीहिद्रोणदानं, दुर्वाससः परीक्षा, स्वर्गगुणप्रश्नः
Mudgala Episode: Rice-measure Charity, Durvāsas’ Test, Inquiry on Heaven
ऊर्ध्वमाक्रममाणाश्ष शरजालेन वारिता: । विसर्पमाणा भल्लैक्ष वार्यन्ते सव्यसाचिना,जब वे ऊपरकी ओर उड़ने लगते तब अर्जुनके बाणोंके जालसे उनकी गति रुक जाती थी, और जब इधर-उधर भागने लगते तब सव्यसाची अर्जुनके भलल नामक बाण उन्हें आगे बढ़नेसे रोकते थे
Ūrdhvam ākramaṇāḥ śarajālena vāritāḥ | Visarpamāṇā bhallaiś ca vāryante Savyasācinā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Whenever they tried to rise upward, their movement was checked by a net of arrows; and when they attempted to scatter and flee in different directions, Arjuna—called Savyasācin—held them back with his bhalla arrows. Thus, by disciplined skill rather than reckless slaughter, he controlled their escape on every side.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined mastery: power guided by control and precision can restrain chaos more effectively than uncontrolled violence. Arjuna’s skill functions as regulation—blocking every avenue of escape—showing strategic restraint and focused action.
Those being targeted attempt two kinds of escape—rising upward and scattering sideways. Arjuna counters both: a ‘net’ of arrows halts upward movement, and bhalla arrows prevent lateral flight, enclosing them through superior archery.