Shloka 12
धृतराष्ट्रस्य बलाबलचिन्ता
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Strength and Preference for Śama
दुरासदं यस्य दिव्यं गाण्डीवं धनुरुत्तमम् । वारुणौ चाक्षयौ दिव्यौ शरपूर्णो महेषुधी
vaiśampāyana uvāca | durāsadaṃ yasya divyaṃ gāṇḍīvaṃ dhanur uttamam | vāruṇau cākṣayau divyau śarapūrṇo maheṣudhī ||
ผู้ใดมีคันศรอันประเสริฐคือคานฑีวะอันเป็นทิพย์ ยากที่ศัตรูจะต้านทาน มีแล่งลูกศรทิพย์สองใบอันไม่รู้สิ้น—ของประทานจากวรุณะ—และเป็นมหาธนูรธรผู้มีศรเต็มพร้อม
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how dharma in war is tied to preparedness and rightful capability: Arjuna’s strength is portrayed not as mere aggression but as disciplined, divinely-supported competence that makes him a decisive protector in a just conflict.
Vaiśampāyana is describing Arjuna’s battle-readiness by listing his distinguishing martial assets—especially the divine Gāṇḍīva and Varuṇa’s inexhaustible quivers—within the Udyoga Parva’s build-up to the Kurukṣetra war.