Shloka 21
Brahmaṇānāṃ Yācanā—Tīrtha-yātrā-prastāvaḥ
The Brahmanas’ Petition and the Proposal of Pilgrimage
महाहवेष्वप्रतिमं महायुद्धविशारदम् । महाथनुर्धरं वीरं महास्त्रं वरवर्णिनम्
mahāhaveṣv apratimaṁ mahāyuddhaviśāradam | mahādhanuḥdharaṁ vīraṁ mahāstraṁ varavarṇinam
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: He was unmatched in great battles, thoroughly skilled in the arts of mighty warfare— a heroic master of the great bow, possessed of formidable weapons, and of excellent appearance. The narration underscores the ideal of the kṣatriya as one whose prowess is joined to disciplined training and noble bearing.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an idealized warrior profile: excellence in battle is grounded in mastery (viśāradatā), disciplined capability with weapons, and noble conduct/appearance—suggesting that power is meant to be cultivated as a trained, responsible kṣatriya virtue rather than mere aggression.
Vaiśaṃpāyana is describing a particular hero in elevated epithets—unmatched in major combats, expert in warfare, a great archer, and formidable in weaponry—setting the tone for the character’s significance in the unfolding events.