Shloka 11
Śamī-vṛkṣe śastra-nidhāna and Entry into Virāṭa’s Capital (शमीवृक्षे शस्त्रनिधानम्)
गाण्डीवं च महद् गाढं लोके च विदितं नृणाम् । तच्चेदायुधमादाय गच्छामो नगरं वयम् | क्षिप्रमस्मान् विजानीयूुर्मनुष्या नात्र संशय:,“तुम्हारा गाण्डीव धनुष तो बहुत बड़ा और भारी है। संसारके सब लोगोंमें उसकी प्रसिद्धि है। ऐसी दशामें यदि हम अस्त्र-शस्त्र लेकर नगरमें चलेंगे, तो यहाँ सब लोग हमें शीघ्र ही पहचान लेंगे। इसमें संशय नहीं है
gāṇḍīvaṃ ca mahad gāḍhaṃ loke ca viditaṃ nṛṇām | tac ced āyudham ādāya gacchāmo nagaraṃ vayam | kṣipram asmān vijānīyur manuṣyā nātra saṃśayaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Busur Gāṇḍīva milikmu itu besar dan berat, dan namanya masyhur di seluruh dunia manusia. Jika kita membawa senjata seperti itu masuk ke kota, penduduk akan segera mengenali kita—tiada keraguan.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fame can become a liability: distinctive symbols of power (like Arjuna’s Gāṇḍīva) can expose one’s identity. The verse highlights prudent restraint—choosing concealment and timing over display—when dharma requires completing a vow (incognito living) without provoking premature conflict.
During the Virāṭa episode, the speakers consider going into the city while carrying weapons. They note that the Gāṇḍīva is universally recognizable; if they carry it openly, people will quickly identify them, endangering their incognito status.