Shloka 23
इन्द्रप्रशंसा, दिव्योपकरणदानं, गन्धमादनसमागमश्च
Indra’s Commendation, Bestowal of Divine Insignia, and the Gandhamādana Reunion
गाण्डीवाद्धि तदा संख्ये यथा भ्रमरपद्धक्तय: । निष्पतन्ति महाबाणास्तन्मातलिरपूजयत्,उस समय मेरे गाण्डीव धनुषसे बड़े-बड़े बाण उस युद्ध-भूमिमें इस प्रकार छूटते थे, मानो वृक्षसे झुंड-के-झुंड भौंरे उड़ रहे हों। मातलिने मेरे इस कार्यकी बड़ी प्रशंसा की
gāṇḍīvād dhi tadā saṅkhye yathā bhramarapaddhaktayaḥ | niṣpatanti mahābāṇās tan mātalir apūjayat ||
Arjuna said: “Then, in that battle, from my Gāṇḍīva bow great arrows kept flying forth—like swarms of bees bursting out from a tree. Seeing this feat, Mātali praised and honored my action.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined prowess used in a righteous cause: excellence in one’s duty (kṣātra-dharma) is worthy of commendation when directed toward protecting dharma rather than mere display.
Arjuna describes the intensity of his archery in battle—arrows streaming from Gāṇḍīva like bees in swarms—after which Mātali, Indra’s charioteer, praises him for the feat.