Shloka 9
Arjuna’s Approach, Drona’s Recognition, and the Turning of the Cattle (अर्जुनागमनम्, द्रोणवाक्यम्, गोगमनिवृत्तिः)
इतश्वेतश्न निर्मुक्ता: काउचनैर्गार्ध्रवाजितै: । दृश्यतामद्य वै व्योम खद्योतैरिव संवृतम्,इधर-उधर दोनों ओरसे छूटे हुए गीधकी पाँखोंसे युक्त सुवर्णमय बाणोंद्वारा आच्छादित हो आज आकाश जुगुनुओंसे भरा हुआ-सा दिखायी देगा
itaś śvetāś ca nirmuktāḥ kāñcanair gārḍhravājitaiḥ | dṛśyatām adya vai vyoma khadyotair iva saṃvṛtam ||
کرن نے کہا—ادھر اُدھر سے چھوڑے گئے، گِدھ کے پروں سے آراستہ سنہری تیروں سے آج آسمان یوں دکھائی دے گا گویا جگنوؤں نے اسے ڈھانپ لیا ہو۔
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of demonstrating strength and fearlessness in battle; ethically, it also shows how pride in martial skill can escalate destruction, inviting reflection on restraint and responsibility in the use of power.
Karna is urging the discharge of shining, gold-adorned arrows with vulture-feather fletching, claiming the sky will look as if it is filled with fireflies—an image for a dense volley of missiles.