Shloka 22

Arjuna’s Concentrated Archery and the Rout of the Kaurava Mahārathas

Gāṇḍīva-Nirghoṣa Episode

Devanagari script

तत:ः कनकपवग्रिर्वीर: संनतपर्वभि: । त्वरन्‌ गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्तैरर्जुनस्तस्य वाजिन:

Transliteration

tataḥ kanakapavagrir vīraḥ sannatapārva-bhiḥ | tvaran gāṇḍīva-nirmuktair arjunas tasya vājinaḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana nói: Bấy giờ, dũng sĩ Arjuna liền hành động mau lẹ, từ cung Gāṇḍīva phóng ra bốn mũi tên có đầu mạ vàng, các đốt lắp chắc và hơi cong. Với những mũi tên sắc bén, thượng hạng ấy, chàng đâm xuyên bốn con ngựa của thầy Kṛpācārya. Bị sức nóng rực của tên đánh trúng—như rắn bị lửa độc thiêu—cả bốn con ngựa bỗng chồm vọt lên, khiến Kṛpa bị hất khỏi vị trí của mình.

Word by Word

• ततः: then/thereupon
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः
• Form: indeclinable (ablatival adverb)

• कनकपवग्रिः: one having golden arrow-tips (gold-tipped arrow)
• कनकपवग्रिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: कनकपवग्रि
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• वीरः: the hero
• वीरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• संनतपर्वभिः: with (arrows) having bent joints/knots
• संनतपर्वभिः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संनतपर्व
• Form: masculine/neuter, instrumental, plural

• त्वरन्: hastening
• त्वरन्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्वर्
• Form: present active participle, masculine, nominative, singular

• गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्तैः: released from the Gāṇḍīva (bow)
• गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्तैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्त
• Form: masculine/neuter, instrumental, plural

• अर्जुनः: Arjuna
• अर्जुनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• तस्य: of him/that (one)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: masculine/neuter, genitive, singular

• वाजिनः: horses
• वाजिनः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाजिन्
• Form: masculine, accusative, plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Arjuna
• Gāṇḍīva
• Kṛpācārya (Kṛpa)
• horses (vājināḥ)
• arrows

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights disciplined, purposeful action in conflict: Arjuna’s skill is shown through precise targeting that neutralizes an opponent’s capacity to fight (the chariot team) rather than uncontrolled aggression. It reflects kṣatriya-dharma as regulated force guided by intent and mastery.

What is happening in the narrative?

Arjuna rapidly shoots four excellent, golden-tipped arrows from the Gāṇḍīva and pierces Kṛpācārya’s four horses. The horses recoil violently, and Kṛpa is jolted from his position, indicating a sudden tactical advantage for Arjuna.