Shloka 17
Arjuna–Bhīṣma Strategic Engagement and Mutual Arrow-Interdiction (भीष्मार्जुनसमागमः)
महाचापानि धुन्वन्तो मेघा इव सविद्युत: । आददानाश्ष नाराचान् निर्मुक्ताशीविषोपमान्,(अग्रतः पाण्डुसेनाया हाृतिष्ठन् पृथिवीक्षित: ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
mahācāpāni dhunvanto meghā iva savidyutaḥ |
ādadānāś ca nārācān nirmuktāśīviṣopamān |
agrataḥ pāṇḍusenāyā hṛtiṣṭhan pṛthivīkṣitaḥ ||
Sañjaya nói: “Lắc những cây cung lớn như mây giông có tia chớp, và cầm lấy những mũi tên sắt dài mà khi phóng ra sẽ như rắn độc được tháo xiềng, các vị vua ấy đứng án ngữ trước quân Pāṇḍava.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the outward splendor of force—bows like storm-clouds and arrows like venomous serpents—can be mesmerizing, yet it remains a humanly directed power. In the dharma-frame of the Mahābhārata, such power intensifies accountability: awe-inspiring weapons do not absolve the warrior or king from ethical responsibility for intention and action.
Sañjaya describes a group of kings/warriors on the battlefield brandishing huge bows and readying heavy arrows. They move to the front of the Pāṇḍava army and take their positions, signaling an imminent clash and the tightening of battle lines.