Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
एष द्रोणस्य शिष्याणां शीघ्रास्त्रे प्रथणो मत: । एतस्य दर्शयिष्यामि शीघ्रास्त्रं विपुलं रणे
eṣa droṇasya śiṣyāṇāṃ śīghrāstre prathamo mataḥ | etasya darśayiṣyāmi śīghrāstraṃ vipulaṃ raṇe ||
துரோணரின் சீடர்களில் விரைவாயுதங்களைச் செலுத்துவதில் இவனே முதன்மை எனக் கருதப்படுகிறான். இப்போரில் நான் அவனுக்கு அதிவேக அஸ்திரங்களின் பெரும் திறமையை வெளிப்படுத்துவேன்.
अजुन उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical weight of martial excellence: skill is recognized within a lineage (Droṇa’s disciples), yet it must be met with disciplined resolve. Arjuna frames his response not as mere boasting but as a measured demonstration of capability in a just contest, emphasizing competence and responsibility in warfare.
Arjuna identifies an opponent as the foremost among Droṇa’s students in rapid-weapon warfare and declares that he will counter by displaying his own powerful mastery of swift missiles on the battlefield.