Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 23

Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange

Chapter 55

Devanagari script

अस्यतो नित्यमत्यर्थ सर्वमेवातिगस्तथा । अश्रुतः श्रूयते भूतैर्धनुर्धघोष: किरीटिन:

Transliteration

asyato nityamatyarthaṁ sarvam evātigastathā | aśrutaḥ śrūyate bhūtair dhanur-dhaghoṣaḥ kirīṭinaḥ ||

Translation

ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。アルジュナが矢を放つたび、キリーティンの弓の轟きはあらゆる生きとし生けるものにまで聞こえ渡った――かつて誰も耳にしたことのない、異様にして壮大な反響である。その雷鳴のような弦音の前では、他のあらゆる音が押し伏せられ、沈黙したかのようであった。

Word by Word

• {'asyataḥ': 'of one who is shooting

• while discharging (arrows)', 'nityam': 'always, constantly', 'atyartham': 'exceedingly, intensely, to a very great degree', 'sarvam eva': 'everything indeed

• all (sounds/phenomena) without exception', 'atigat tathā': 'was surpassed/overcome

• was outdone in that manner', 'aśrutaḥ': 'unheard before

• unprecedented', 'śrūyate': 'is heard', 'bhūtaiḥ': 'by beings/creatures

• by all living entities', 'dhanuḥ': 'bow', 'dhaghoṣaḥ': 'loud reverberation/clangorous sound

• thunderous twang', 'kirīṭinaḥ': 'of Kīrīṭin (Arjuna, ‘the diademed one’)'}

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Kīrīṭin (Arjuna)
• bow (Gāṇḍīva, implied by context)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the overwhelming force of exceptional capability: true mastery can eclipse ordinary measures and inspire awe in all who witness it, underscoring the Mahābhārata’s recurring theme that power carries a distinctive, unmistakable presence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes Arjuna (Kīrīṭin) in action: as he releases arrows, the tremendous, unprecedented twang of his bow is heard by all beings, drowning out other sounds and signaling his formidable martial presence.