Shloka 12
उत्तरो जयमावेदयति—विराटस्य हर्षः, द्यूतनिषेधः
Uttara’s Victory Report—Virāṭa’s Rejoicing and the Counsel Against Gambling
तथा दश दिश: सर्वा: पतद्गाण्डीवमावृणोत् । नागाश्व रथिन: सर्वे मुमुहुस्तत्र भारत,जैसे मेघके वर्षा करते समय आकाशमें बिजली चमक उठती है और वह सम्पूर्ण दिशाओं तथा पृथ्वीको भी सब ओरसे प्रकाशित कर देती है, उसी प्रकार बाणोंकी वर्षा करते हुए गाण्डीव धनुषने दसों दिशाओंको सम्पूर्णतया आच्छादित कर दिया। जनमेजय! उस समय वहाँ हाथीसवार और रथी आदि सब सैनिक मोहित ([मूर्च्छित) हो रहे थे
tathā daśa diśaḥ sarvāḥ patad-gāṇḍīvam āvṛṇot | nāgāśva-rathinaḥ sarve mumuhus tatra bhārata ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: “Assim foi: como o relâmpago, ao fulgir num céu carregado de chuva, ilumina todas as direções e a terra por todos os lados, do mesmo modo o Gāṇḍīva—derramando uma chuva de flechas—pareceu cobrir por completo as dez direções. Ó Bhārata (Janamejaya), naquele instante todos os guerreiros—condutores de elefantes, cavaleiros e combatentes de carro—foram tomados de aturdimento e desfalecimento.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the overwhelming force of disciplined martial skill: when power is wielded with mastery, it can decisively shape the battlefield and the minds of opponents. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya ideal that prowess and resolve can protect order, while also reminding that war generates fear and disorientation among all ranks.
Vaiśampāyana describes a moment in battle where the Gāṇḍīva, through a dense shower of arrows, seems to fill all directions like lightning in a storm. The enemy forces—elephant, horse, and chariot troops—are stunned and begin to lose composure.