Shloka 23
तदेवायुधमादाय मोक्षयाशु महीपतिम् । यमौ च चक्ररक्षौ ते भवितारो महाबलौ,गृहीत्वा तु धनु: श्रेष्ठ जवेन सुमहाजव: । व्यमुज्चच्छरवर्षाणि सतोय इव तोयद: वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--राजन्! युधिष्ठिरके उक्त आदेश देनेपर महान् वेगशाली महाबली भीमसेनने शीघ्रतापूर्वक एक उत्तम धनुष हाथमें ले लिया। फिर तो जैसे मेघ जलकी धारा बरसाता हो, उसी प्रकार वे वेगपूर्वक बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगे
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
tad evāyudham ādāya mokṣayāśu mahīpatim |
yamau ca cakrarakṣau te bhavitārau mahābalau |
gṛhītvā tu dhanuḥ śreṣṭhaṃ javena sumahājavaḥ |
vyamuñcac charavarṣāṇi satoya iva toyadaḥ |
Vaiśampāyana disse: “Com essa mesma arma, liberta depressa o soberano. E os gêmeos, teus poderosos guardiões das rodas do carro, mostrarão grande força.” Então Bhīmasena, de imenso vigor e velocidade extraordinária, tomou um arco excelente e lançou chuvas de flechas—como uma nuvem carregada de água derramando torrentes.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharmic conduct in crisis: prompt, decisive action carried out under legitimate instruction, aimed at protecting the rightful ruler and fulfilling one’s assigned role (including the twins’ duty as chariot-wheel guards).
Vaiśampāyana narrates that, following the command to rescue the king, the warrior swiftly takes up an excellent bow and unleashes a dense volley of arrows, compared to a rain-cloud pouring water; the twins are indicated as strong protectors of the chariot-wheels.