Shloka 20
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
ततोअस्मै प्राहिणोद् द्रोण: शरानधिकविंशतिम् । अप्राप्तांश्वैव तान् पार्थश्रचिच्छेद कृतहस्तवत्
tato ’smai prāhiṇod droṇaḥ śarān adhika-viṁśatim | aprāptāṁś caiva tān pārthaś ciccheda kṛta-hastavat ||
Então Droṇa lhe disparou mais de vinte flechas. Mas Pārtha (Arjuna), antes que aqueles dardos sequer se aproximassem do alvo, cortou-os em pleno curso, como se suas mãos estivessem perfeitamente treinadas naquela arte—exibindo domínio disciplinado, e não mera fúria de combate.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined mastery (abhyāsa and saṁyama) in action: true excellence in battle is shown not by uncontrolled aggression but by precise, timely skill—suggesting an ethical ideal of controlled power.
Droṇa releases a volley of over twenty arrows at Arjuna; Arjuna intercepts and cuts them down before they can reach him, demonstrating superior reflexes and consummate training.