Shloka 14
उस भयंकर मुहूर्तमें गाण्डीव धनुषकी प्रत्यंचाको मण्डलाकार करके जब किरीटधारी अर्जुन शत्रुसेनापर टूट पड़े तथा बल और प्रतापमें बढ़ने लगे, उस समय धनुषकी टंकारकी प्रतिध्वनि आकाशगमें गूँज उठी, जिससे डरे हुए पक्षी पर्वतोंकी कन्दराओंमें छिप गये ।।
sañjaya uvāca | tasmin bhayaṅkare muhūrte gāṇḍīva-dhanuṣaḥ pratyāñcāṃ maṇḍalākāraṃ kṛtvā yadā kirīṭadhārī arjunaḥ śatru-senāyāṃ nipapāta ca bala-pratāpeṇa vardhamānaḥ, tadā dhanuṣaḥ ṭaṅkāra-pratidhvaniḥ ākāśe nināda; tena bhītāḥ pakṣiṇaḥ parvata-kandarāsu nilīnāḥ || tataḥ bhīmaseno 'nuyayau rathena pṛṣṭhe rakṣan pāṇḍavam ekavīraḥ | tau rājaputrau tvaritau rathābhyāṃ karṇāya yātau aribhir viṣaktau ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Sa kakila-kilabot na sandaling iyon, nang si Arjuna na may diyadema—panginoon ng Gāṇḍīva—ay hinila ang bagting hanggang maging ganap na bilog at sumugod sa hukbo ng kaaway, lalo pang sumidhi ang kanyang lakas at ningning. Umalingawngaw sa langit ang dagundong ng busog, kaya’t ang mga ibong takot ay nagtago sa mga yungib ng bundok. Pagkaraan, sumunod si Bhīmasena sa karwahe, binabantayan si Arjuna—ang natatanging bayani sa mga Pāṇḍava. Ang dalawang prinsipe, mabilis sa kanilang mga sasakyan, ay sumulong patungo kay Karṇa habang nakikipagsagupaan sa mga kaaway—larawan ng pagkakapatiran at tungkuling magtanggol sa gitna ng bagsik ng digmaan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a violent and chaotic battlefield, dharma expresses itself as steadfast duty: Arjuna’s resolute advance embodies the warrior’s obligation to confront adharma, while Bhima’s following ‘from behind’ highlights protective responsibility and loyal support for a comrade—strength guided by purpose rather than mere aggression.
Arjuna draws the Gāṇḍīva’s string to full power and charges into the enemy ranks; the bow’s thunderous twang echoes in the sky, frightening birds into mountain caves. Bhima then follows in his chariot, guarding Arjuna, and together the two Pāṇḍava princes hurry forward, fighting through enemies as they advance toward Karṇa.