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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 ||

三阇耶说道:噢,婆罗多族中的雄牛啊,我亲眼见到德罗纳弟子们的敏捷。他们以极快的速度放射利箭;作为真正的神射手,箭箭精确贯穿靶心——在战火铺展之际,尽显久经训练的武艺威势。

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.