Shloka 56
अश्वमेधीयस्य हयस्य दक्षिणापश्चिमगमनम् — The Sacrificial Horse’s Southern and Western Circuit
क्षुरैगाण्डीवनिर्मुक्ति्नातियत्नादिवार्जुन: । वे गाण्डीव धनुषसे छूटे हुए तेज धारवाले धुरोंसे बिना परिश्रमके ही उनके मस्तक काटने लगे
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: kṣuraiḥ gāṇḍīva-nirmuktaiḥ nāti-yatnād iva Arjunaḥ | te gāṇḍīva-dhanuṣaḥ chūṭe huye teja-dhāra-vāle dhurōṃ se binā pariśrama ke hī unke mastak kāṭne lage |
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Sa pamamagitan ng mga palasong matalas na parang labaha na pinakawalan mula sa Gāṇḍīva, si Arjuna—halos walang pagod—ay nagsimulang putulin ang mga ulo nila. Ipinapakita ng salaysay ang nakalalamang at disiplinadong lakas ng isang dalubhasang mamamana: kapag ang kapangyarihan ay kaagapay ng husay, nagiging tila walang hirap ang karahasan, at sumisilip ang tahimik na tensiyong etikal sa gaan ng pagkitil ng buhay matapos ang digmaan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how perfected martial skill can make killing seem effortless; ethically, it invites reflection on the responsibility that accompanies power—especially in a post-war setting where the line between necessary force and excess can become thin.
Vaiśampāyana describes Arjuna releasing razor-like, keen-edged missiles from the Gāṇḍīva and, with minimal exertion, cutting down opponents by severing their heads—an image of decisive, overwhelming archery.