Shloka 20
अग्निभय-प्रसङ्गे मन्दपालस्य शोकः
Mandapāla’s Lament amid the Threat of Fire
गाण्डीवमुपसंगृहा बभूव मुदितो<र्जुन: । हुताशनं पुरस्कृत्य ततस्तदपि वीर्यवान्
gāṇḍīvam upasaṅgṛhya babhūva mudito 'rjunaḥ | hutāśanaṃ puraskṛtya tatas tad api vīryavān ||
Vaiśampāyana nói: Khi cầm lấy cây cung Gāṇḍīva, Arjuna tràn ngập hoan hỷ. Rồi vị anh hùng dũng mãnh ấy, đặt Agni—Thần Lửa—ở phía trước, tiến bước tiếp, hành động thuận theo ý chỉ thần linh với quyết tâm kỷ luật.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined heroism aligned with a higher purpose: Arjuna’s joy is not mere excitement but confidence grounded in rightful capability (Gāṇḍīva) and reverence for the divine guide (Agni placed foremost), suggesting that power is ethically directed when subordinated to dharma and sacred intent.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna takes up the bow Gāṇḍīva and becomes joyful; then the valorous Arjuna proceeds with Agni (Hutāśana) set in front, indicating that Arjuna advances in concert with the Fire-god as part of the unfolding episode.