Shloka 45
द्रोणपुत्रस्याग्नेयास्त्रप्रयोगः — अर्जुनस्य ब्राह्मास्त्रप्रतिघातः — व्यासोपदेशः
Aśvatthāmā’s Agneyāstra, Arjuna’s Brāhmāstra Counter, and Vyāsa’s Instruction
राजन! जब बड़े-बड़े वीरोंका विनाश करनेवाला वह संग्राम चल रहा था, उसी समय वहाँ गाण्डीव धनुषकी गम्भीर टंकार-ध्वनि बड़े जोर-जोरसे सुनायी देने लगी ।। श्र॒त्वा तु रथनिर्घोषं गाण्डीवस्य च नि:स्वनम् । सूतपुत्रो5ब्रवीद् राजन् दुर्योधनमिदं वच:,नरेश्वर! अर्जुनके रथका गम्भीर घोष और गाण्डीव धनुषकी टंकार सुनकर सूतपुत्र कर्णने दुर्योधनसे इस प्रकार कहा--
śrutvā tu rathanirghoṣaṃ gāṇḍīvasya ca niḥsvanam | sūtaputro 'bravīd rājan duryodhanam idaṃ vacaḥ ||
श्रुत्वा तु रथनिर्घोषं गाण्डीवस्य च निःस्वनम् । सूतपुत्रोऽब्रवीद् राजन् दुर्योधनमिदं वचः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how signs in war—like the unmistakable sound of a great warrior’s chariot and bow—carry ethical and strategic weight: they awaken responsibility in leaders, test resolve, and foreshadow consequences. It underscores that power is not merely physical; it also functions as a moral pressure on those who choose to persist in destructive conflict.
During the ongoing, devastating battle, the distinctive rumble of Arjuna’s chariot and the loud twang of his bow Gāṇḍīva are heard. In response to this signal of Arjuna’s presence and momentum, Karṇa turns to Duryodhana and begins to speak, setting up the next exchange.