Shloka 17
Arjuna–Bhīṣma Strategic Engagement and Mutual Arrow-Interdiction (भीष्मार्जुनसमागमः)
महाचापानि धुन्वन्तो मेघा इव सविद्युत: । आददानाश्ष नाराचान् निर्मुक्ताशीविषोपमान्,(अग्रतः पाण्डुसेनाया हाृतिष्ठन् पृथिवीक्षित: ।।) नरेश्वरर आपके पुत्र दुर्योधन, दुर्मुख, दुःशल, शल, अतिरथी दुःशासन, दुर्मर्षण, विविंशति, चित्रसेन, महारथी विकर्ण, पुरुमित्र, जय, भोज तथा पराक्रमी भूरिश्रवा--ये सभी वीर अपने बड़े-बड़े धनुषोंको कँपाते और छूटनेपर विषधर सर्पके समान प्रतीत होनेवाले बाणोंको हाथमें लेते हुए बिजलियोंसहित मेघोंके समान जान पड़ते थे। ये सभी भूपाल पाण्डव-सेनाके सम्मुख (भीमसेनको घेरकर) खड़े हो गये
sañjaya uvāca |
mahācāpāni dhunvanto meghā iva savidyutaḥ |
ādadānāś ca nārācān nirmuktāśīviṣopamān |
agrataḥ pāṇḍusenāyā hṛtiṣṭhan pṛthivīkṣitaḥ ||
Sañjaya disse: “Sacudindo seus grandes arcos, como nuvens de tempestade riscadas de relâmpagos, e tomando longas flechas de ferro que, ao serem disparadas, pareceriam serpentes venenosas soltas, aqueles reis se postaram diante do exército dos Pāṇḍava.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the outward splendor of force—bows like storm-clouds and arrows like venomous serpents—can be mesmerizing, yet it remains a humanly directed power. In the dharma-frame of the Mahābhārata, such power intensifies accountability: awe-inspiring weapons do not absolve the warrior or king from ethical responsibility for intention and action.
Sañjaya describes a group of kings/warriors on the battlefield brandishing huge bows and readying heavy arrows. They move to the front of the Pāṇḍava army and take their positions, signaling an imminent clash and the tightening of battle lines.