Shloka 52
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 47 — Arjuna’s Deterrent Declaration
Sañjaya’s Report
यदा मौर्व्यास्तलनिष्पेषमुग्रं महाशब्दं वज्ननिष्पेषतुल्यम् | विधूयमानस्य महारणे मया स गाण्डिवस्य श्रोष्यति मन्दबुद्धि:
sañjaya uvāca | yadā maurvyāstala-niṣpeṣam ugraṁ mahāśabdaṁ vajra-niṣpeṣa-tulyam | vidhūyamānasya mahāraṇe mayā sa gāṇḍīvasya śroṣyati mandabuddhiḥ ||
サञ्जयは言った。「大いなる戦において、わたしがガーンディーヴァを揺るがし、その弦を擦り、張り詰めて弾くときに生じる凄烈な轟音—まるで雷霆の一撃のような響き—が鳴り渡れば、あの愚鈍な者もそれを聞くであろう。その瞬間、戦の恐怖が凝り固まるとき、アルジュナの弓の音そのものがダルマの警告となる。驕りと不義の決意は、規律ある勇武に対峙すれば、ついには苦悶へと変わるのだ。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the sound of Gāṇḍīva as a symbol of disciplined power aligned with rightful resolve: when unjust pride meets steadfast martial duty, fear and inner torment arise. It highlights how moral imbalance (adharma) weakens courage even before weapons strike.
Sañjaya describes the impending battlefield moment when Arjuna’s bowstring, drawn and set vibrating, produces a terrifying roar like a thunderbolt. The image anticipates the psychological impact on the opposing side—especially the ‘dull-witted’ antagonist—upon hearing this omen-like war sound.