Shloka 4
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 42 — Duryodhana’s counsel to Bhīṣma on ajñātavāsa risk and raid strategy
सूर्या यत्र च सौवर्णास्त्रियो भासन्ति दंशिता: । तेजसा प्रज्वलन्तो हि कस्यैत्द धनुरुत्तमम्,जिसमें परस्पर सटे हुए तीन सुवर्णमय सूर्यचिह्न प्रकाशित हो रहे हैं, जो तेजसे मानो प्रज्वलित हैं, यह उत्तम धनुष किसका है?
sūryā yatra ca sauvarṇās trayo bhāsanti daṃśitāḥ | tejasā prajvalanto hi kasyaitad dhanur uttamam ||
อุตตรากล่าวว่า “คันธนูใดมีตราพระอาทิตย์ทองคำสามดวงประดับชิดกัน ส่องประกายราวกับลุกไหม้ด้วยรัศมีของตนเอง คันธนูอันยอดเยี่ยมนั้นเป็นของผู้ใด?”
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment and reverence toward symbols of power: a weapon’s distinctive emblems signify lineage, mastery, and responsibility. It implicitly points to the ethical weight carried by martial excellence—such brilliance is not mere ornament, but a mark of a great warrior whose actions must align with dharma.
In the Virata Parva context, Uttara is examining weapons and notices a remarkable bow distinguished by three closely set golden sun-emblems. Struck by its radiance and uniqueness, he asks whose superb bow it is—an inquiry that foreshadows recognition of a famed warrior’s arms.