Shloka 22

Devanagari script

तत:ः कनकपवग्रिर्वीर: संनतपर्वभि: । त्वरन्‌ गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्तैरर्जुनस्तस्य वाजिन:,तब वीर अर्जुनने गाण्डीव धनुषसे छूटे हुए झुकी हुई गाँठ और सुनहरे पर्वाग्र (फल)- वाले चार बाणोंद्वारा बड़ी उतावलीसे कृपाचार्यके चारों घोड़ोंको बींध डाला। वे चारों बाण बड़े तीखे और उत्तम थे। विषाग्निसे जलते हुए सर्पोकी भाँति उन तेज बाणोंकी मार खाकर वे सभी घोड़े सहसा उछल पड़े। इससे कृपाचार्य अपने स्थानसे गिर गये

Transliteration

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

Translation

毗湿摩波耶那说：随后，英勇的阿周那果决迅疾，自甘狄婆弓放出四支箭，箭镞鎏金，节结紧密而微微弯曲。凭这四支锋利上乘的箭，他射穿了克利帕阿阇梨的四匹战马。战马被那炽烈如焰的箭势所中——如同毒火灼烧的蛇——骤然腾跃，使克利帕从原位被掀落。

Word by Word

ततःthen/thereupon

कनकपवग्रिःone having golden arrow-tips (gold-tipped arrow)

वीरःthe hero

संनतपर्वभिःwith (arrows) having bent joints/knots

त्वरन्hastening

गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्तैःreleased from the Gāṇḍīva (bow)

अर्जुनःArjuna

तस्यof him/that (one)

वाजिनःhorses

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Arjuna

Gāṇḍīva

Kṛpācārya (Kṛpa)

horses (vājināḥ)

arrows

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

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.