Shloka 52
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 47 — Arjuna’s Deterrent Declaration
Sañjaya’s Report
यदा मौर्व्यास्तलनिष्पेषमुग्रं महाशब्दं वज्ननिष्पेषतुल्यम् | विधूयमानस्य महारणे मया स गाण्डिवस्य श्रोष्यति मन्दबुद्धि:
sañjaya uvāca | yadā maurvyāstala-niṣpeṣam ugraṁ mahāśabdaṁ vajra-niṣpeṣa-tulyam | vidhūyamānasya mahāraṇe mayā sa gāṇḍīvasya śroṣyati mandabuddhiḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “Kapag sa dakilang labanan ay yayanigin ko ang Gāṇḍīva at ang mabagsik na ugong na nalilikha sa pagkiskis at biglang pagpitik ng bagting—na gaya ng pagbagsak ng kulog—ay umalingawngaw, maririnig iyon ng hangal na yaon. Sa sandaling iyon, habang nagtitipon ang sindak ng digmaan, ang mismong tunog ng busog ni Arjuna ay nagiging babalang pang-dharma: ang kayabangan at di-matuwid na pasya, kapag hinarap ng disiplinadong kagitingan, ay nauuwi sa matinding dalamhati.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the sound of Gāṇḍīva as a symbol of disciplined power aligned with rightful resolve: when unjust pride meets steadfast martial duty, fear and inner torment arise. It highlights how moral imbalance (adharma) weakens courage even before weapons strike.
Sañjaya describes the impending battlefield moment when Arjuna’s bowstring, drawn and set vibrating, produces a terrifying roar like a thunderbolt. The image anticipates the psychological impact on the opposing side—especially the ‘dull-witted’ antagonist—upon hearing this omen-like war sound.