Shloka 22

Arjuna’s Concentrated Archery and the Rout of the Kaurava Mahārathas

Gāṇḍīva-Nirghoṣa Episode

Devanagari script

तत:ः कनकपवग्रिर्वीर: संनतपर्वभि: । त्वरन्‌ गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्तैरर्जुनस्तस्य वाजिन:

Transliteration

tataḥ kanakapavagrir vīraḥ sannatapārva-bhiḥ | tvaran gāṇḍīva-nirmuktair arjunas tasya vājinaḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśaṃpāyana disse: Então o heróico Arjuna, com decisão veloz, disparou do Gāṇḍīva quatro flechas de pontas douradas, com nós bem firmes e levemente recurvos. Com aqueles dardos agudos e excelentes, traspassou os quatro cavalos de Kṛpācārya. Atingidos pelo ardor flamejante das flechas—como serpentes queimadas por fogo de veneno—os cavalos saltaram de súbito, e Kṛpa foi lançado de sua posição.

Word by Word

• ततः: then/thereupon
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः
• Form: indeclinable (ablatival adverb)

• कनकपवग्रिः: one having golden arrow-tips (gold-tipped arrow)
• कनकपवग्रिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: कनकपवग्रि
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• वीरः: the hero
• वीरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• संनतपर्वभिः: with (arrows) having bent joints/knots
• संनतपर्वभिः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संनतपर्व
• Form: masculine/neuter, instrumental, plural

• त्वरन्: hastening
• त्वरन्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्वर्
• Form: present active participle, masculine, nominative, singular

• गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्तैः: released from the Gāṇḍīva (bow)
• गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्तैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्त
• Form: masculine/neuter, instrumental, plural

• अर्जुनः: Arjuna
• अर्जुनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• तस्य: of him/that (one)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: masculine/neuter, genitive, singular

• वाजिनः: horses
• वाजिनः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाजिन्
• Form: masculine, accusative, plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Arjuna
• Gāṇḍīva
• Kṛpācārya (Kṛpa)
• horses (vājināḥ)
• arrows

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights disciplined, purposeful action in conflict: Arjuna’s skill is shown through precise targeting that neutralizes an opponent’s capacity to fight (the chariot team) rather than uncontrolled aggression. It reflects kṣatriya-dharma as regulated force guided by intent and mastery.

What is happening in the narrative?

Arjuna rapidly shoots four excellent, golden-tipped arrows from the Gāṇḍīva and pierces Kṛpācārya’s four horses. The horses recoil violently, and Kṛpa is jolted from his position, indicating a sudden tactical advantage for Arjuna.