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Shloka 21

Arjuna–Bhīṣma Strategic Engagement and Mutual Arrow-Interdiction (भीष्मार्जुनसमागमः)

लाघवं द्रोणशिष्याणामपश्यं भरतर्षभ । निमित्तवेधिनां चैव शरानुत्सृूजतां भूशम्‌,भरतश्रेष्ठ) उस समय मैंने द्रोणाचार्यके उन शिष्योंकी फुर्ती देखी। वे बड़ी तीव्र गतिसे बाण छोड़ते और लक्ष्यको बींध डालते थे

lāghavaṁ droṇaśiṣyāṇām apaśyaṁ bharatarṣabha | nimittavedhināṁ caiva śarān utsṛjatāṁ bhūśam ||

Sañjaya nói: Hỡi bậc tráng sĩ của dòng Bhārata, ta đã thấy sự lanh lẹ của các môn đồ Droṇa. Họ phóng tên với tốc độ dữ dội; là những tay thiện xạ thực thụ, họ xuyên trúng mục tiêu với độ chuẩn xác—một màn phô bày võ nghệ đã được rèn luyện giữa cơn chiến cuộc đang cuộn trào.

लाघवम्quickness, agility
लाघवम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootलाघव
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
द्रोण-शिष्याणाम्of Drona's disciples
द्रोण-शिष्याणाम्:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootद्रोणशिष्य
FormMasculine, Genitive, Plural
अपश्यम्I saw
अपश्यम्:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootदृश्
FormImperfect (Laṅ), 1st, Singular, Parasmaipada
भरत-ऋषभO bull among the Bharatas
भरत-ऋषभ:
TypeNoun
Rootभरतऋषभ
FormMasculine, Vocative, Singular
निमित्त-वेधिनाम्of those who hit the mark (unerringly)
निमित्त-वेधिनाम्:
Adhikarana
TypeAdjective
Rootनिमित्तवेधिन्
FormMasculine, Genitive, Plural
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
एवindeed, just
एव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootएव
शरान्arrows
शरान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootशर
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
उत्सृजताम्of (them) releasing/letting fly
उत्सृजताम्:
TypeVerb
Rootउत्सृज्
FormPresent active participle (Śatṛ), Masculine, Genitive, Plural
भूशम्greatly, exceedingly
भूशम्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootभूशम्
भरत-श्रेष्ठO best of the Bharatas
भरत-श्रेष्ठ:
TypeNoun
Rootभरतश्रेष्ठ
FormMasculine, Vocative, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
D
Dhṛtarāṣṭra (implied by address: bharatarṣabha)
D
Droṇa
D
Droṇa’s disciples
A
arrows (śara)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights the power of disciplined training and focused skill: mastery (nimitta-vedhin) is shown not merely by force but by precision and control. In the ethical backdrop of the Mahābhārata war, it also reminds the listener that prowess can serve either dharma or adharma depending on the cause and intent of those who wield it.

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra what he is witnessing on the battlefield: Droṇa’s disciples are displaying remarkable agility and speed, shooting arrows rapidly and striking their targets accurately, indicating the formidable capability of that contingent in the ongoing combat.