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 ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Apabila, dalam pertempuran besar, aku menggoncang Gāṇḍīva dan bunyi garang yang terhasil daripada geseran serta sentapan tali busurnya—seumpama dentuman halilintar—bergema, si dungu itu akan mendengarnya. Pada saat itu, tatkala ngeri perang menghimpun, bunyi busur Arjuna sendiri menjadi amaran dharma: kesombongan dan tekad yang tidak adil, apabila berhadapan dengan keberanian yang berdisiplin, akan berubah menjadi kepedihan.”
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.