Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 24
अध्याय ५०: उत्तरेण सह अर्जुनस्य रथप्रयाणे ध्वजचिह्नैः कौरवसेनानिर्देशः
Arjuna directs Uttara by identifying Kaurava commanders through banners
नाक्षान् क्षिपति गाण्डीवं न कृतं द्वापरं न च । ज्वलतो निशितान् बाणांस्तांस्तान् क्षिपति गाण्डिवम्
nā kṣān kṣipati gāṇḍīvaṃ na kṛtaṃ dvāparaṃ na ca | jvalato niśitān bāṇāṃs tāṃs tāṃs kṣipati gāṇḍivam ||
ಕೃಪನು ಹೇಳಿದರು—ಗಾಂಡೀವವು ಅಕ್ಷಗಳನ್ನು ಎಸೆಯುವುದಿಲ್ಲ—ಕೃತವನ್ನೂ ಅಲ್ಲ, ದ್ವಾಪರವನ್ನೂ ಅಲ್ಲ. ಅದು ಮರುಮರು ತೀಕ್ಷ್ಣ, ಜ್ವಲಂತ ಬಾಣಗಳನ್ನು ಎಸೆಯುತ್ತದೆ.
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts gambling with disciplined martial action: instead of relying on chance (dice-throws like Kṛta and Dvāpara), true kṣatriya excellence is shown through focused effort and repeated, purposeful action—here symbolized by the relentless discharge of sharp, blazing arrows.
Kṛpa comments on the extraordinary combat display associated with Gāṇḍīva (and implicitly its wielder, Arjuna): it is not ‘throwing dice’ but continuously ‘throwing’ arrows, using the language of dice-throws as a metaphor to emphasize the speed and intensity of the arrow-volley.
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