Shloka 50

अर्जुनस्य अन्त्येष्टि, द्वारकाप्लावनम्, कलिप्रवेशः, कालोपदेशः

Devanagari script

गाण्डीवं त्रिषु लोकेषु ख्यातिं यदनुभावतः गतं तेन विनाभीरैर् लगुडैस् तन्निराकृतम्

Transliteration

gāṇḍīvaṃ triṣu lokeṣu khyātiṃ yadanubhāvataḥ gataṃ tena vinābhīrair laguḍais tannirākṛtam

Translation

ಯಾವ ಶಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಗಾಂಡೀವ ಧನುಸ್ಸಿನ ಕೀರ್ತಿ ತ್ರಿಲೋಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹರಡಿತ್ತೋ, ಅದೇ ಧನುಸ್ಸು ಅವನಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಆಗ ನಿರ್ಭಯ ಯೋಧರು ದಂಡಗಳಿಂದ ಹೊಡೆದು ನಿಷ್ಪ್ರಯೋಜಕವಾಗಿಸಿ ಹಿಂದಕ್ಕೆ ತಳ್ಳಿದರು।

Word by Word

गाण्डीवम्Gāṇḍīva (Arjuna’s bow)

त्रिषुin three

लोकेषुworlds

ख्यातिम्fame

यत्which

अनुभावतःfrom (its) influence/power

गतम्gone/attained

तेनby that/thereby

विनाwithout

अभीरैःby the Ābhīras (a people)

लगुडैःwith clubs

तत्that (bow)

निराकृतम्was repelled/overcome

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating) to Maitreya

Characters & Entities

Gāṇḍīva

FAQs

What is the significance of the Gāṇḍīva bow being famed in the three worlds in the Vishnu Purana?

It signals an emblem of extraordinary martial power and reputation (trailokya-khyāti), yet the verse also stresses that even such celebrated might can be checked within the unfolding order of events.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the reversal of seemingly invincible power here?

Through narrative contrast: fame born of potency is not absolute—circumstances and opposing valor (the fearless wielding clubs) can neutralize what appears unstoppable.

The theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the Purāṇic frame implies that worldly prowess and lineage-glory operate under a higher sovereignty—ultimate stability belongs to the Supreme Reality, not to weapons or fame.