Shloka 21
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
तस्य तेनावकीर्णस्य शरजालेन सर्वतः । मोहात् पपात गाण्डीवमावापश्न करादपि,उस बाणसमूहके द्वारा सब ओरसे आच्छादित हुए अर्जुनपर मोह छा गया। उस समय उनके हाथसे गाण्डीव धनुष और दस्ताने गिर पड़े
tasya tenāvakīrṇasya śarajālena sarvataḥ | mohāt papāta gāṇḍīvam āvāpāśna-karād api ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Nang si Arjuna ay lubusang natakpan sa lahat ng panig ng lambat ng mga palaso, sinapian siya ng pagkalito. Sa sandaling iyon, maging ang busog na Gāṇḍīva—at ang panangga sa kanyang kamay—ay dumulas at nahulog mula sa kanyang palad.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how moha (delusion) can suddenly overpower even a disciplined hero, causing loss of control and effectiveness. Ethically, it implies that inner clarity and steadiness are as crucial as external prowess; when the mind is clouded, one’s instruments of duty (like Arjuna’s bow) become useless.
Arjuna is surrounded and covered from all sides by a dense barrage—described as a ‘net of arrows.’ Overwhelmed, he becomes bewildered, and his famed bow Gāṇḍīva slips from his hand along with his protective hand-gear, marking a momentary collapse in combat readiness.