ARJUN's conquests WITHOUT GANDIVA bow.
Would you credit Tendulkar's blistering centuries ONLY to his bat?
Steffi's forehand smashes ONLY to her racquet?
Asha Bhosle's melodious songs ONLY to the mike?
Shakespeare's literary works SOLELY to his pen?
Obviously not. They are the media to convey the Genius behind them. They are merely the instruments to enhance skills & talents.
What to say, then, when Arjun's conquests are credited SOLELY to Gandiva bow?
Arjun & Gandiva were indeed an Invincible Team. However, Arjun’s chain of triumphs began much pre- Gandiva. Here is the impressive list:
1] Drona’s GURUDAKSHINA - He conquered Drupad’s Panchal army, whereas the entire Kaurava force failed.
2] DRONA’S best disciple - Arjuna became celebrated for the firmness of his grasp (of weapons), for his lightness of motion, precision of aim, and his proficiency in the use of the Kshura, Naracha, Vala and Vipatha weapons.
3] All Drona’s TESTS including the wooden bird-eye, rescue of Drona from crocodile's jaws and Sonic Archery (Shabd-bhedi) also occurred during Arjun’s student days.
4] He became an ambidextrous archer as a student.
5] Conquests for HASTINAPUR after Gurudakshina– Arjun expanded and enriched Hastinapur’s sovereign. In fact, he even surpassed Pandu’s victories.
These include conquests over the great Sauvira King, Yavana King (whom Pandu could not defeat), King Vipula and King Sumitra. Also, Arjun assisted by Bhima on only a single car subjugated all the kings of the East backed by ten thousand cars. In the same way, having conquered on a single car the whole of the south, Dhananjaya sent unto the kingdom of the Kurus a large booty.
6] GANDHARVA Angaraparna : This incident occurred enroute to Draupadi swayamwar. Arjun did NOT EVEN have a bow! (They were in Brahmin disguise, remember?) Yet, he not only warded off Gandharva arrows successfully, but also defeated him using Agneyastra. Here, he used a mere torch as a weapon.
He also spared Angaraparna’s life.
So grateful was the Gandharva, that he offered Arjun (a) Chakshusi science of producing illusions and (b) 100 horses with the speed of mind, who would never tire and who cannot be slayed.
However, Arjuna refused to accept any return gift for his generous act and instead, imparted Agneyastra knowledge TO Angaraparna!
7] DRAUPADI swayamwar – Need I say more? He easily performed the task of targeting the fisheye, which all invited suitors found impossible. Bow placed at swayamwar was Vaishnavachapa.
8] POST swayamwar skirmish – He fought the enraged suitors using the swayamwar bow ... The bow that others could barely lift, let alone string – Arjun fought a battle with it … and won (as usual !!!)
9] SAVIOUR for Apsaras – During 12 year exile, he rescued 5 Apsaras who had been cursed into crocodiles. They gained Moksha only due to Arjun.
Thus, Arjun’s prowess was never solely dependent on the Gandiva bow. Theirs was a SYMBIOTIC ALLIANCE, which brought as much glory to Gandiva bow as it did to Arjun.
But ultimately, a bow is only AS good as its wielder.
Would you credit Tendulkar's blistering centuries ONLY to his bat?
Steffi's forehand smashes ONLY to her racquet?
Asha Bhosle's melodious songs ONLY to the mike?
Shakespeare's literary works SOLELY to his pen?
Obviously not. They are the media to convey the Genius behind them. They are merely the instruments to enhance skills & talents.
What to say, then, when Arjun's conquests are credited SOLELY to Gandiva bow?
Arjun & Gandiva were indeed an Invincible Team. However, Arjun’s chain of triumphs began much pre- Gandiva. Here is the impressive list:
1] Drona’s GURUDAKSHINA - He conquered Drupad’s Panchal army, whereas the entire Kaurava force failed.
2] DRONA’S best disciple - Arjuna became celebrated for the firmness of his grasp (of weapons), for his lightness of motion, precision of aim, and his proficiency in the use of the Kshura, Naracha, Vala and Vipatha weapons.
3] All Drona’s TESTS including the wooden bird-eye, rescue of Drona from crocodile's jaws and Sonic Archery (Shabd-bhedi) also occurred during Arjun’s student days.
4] He became an ambidextrous archer as a student.
5] Conquests for HASTINAPUR after Gurudakshina– Arjun expanded and enriched Hastinapur’s sovereign. In fact, he even surpassed Pandu’s victories.
These include conquests over the great Sauvira King, Yavana King (whom Pandu could not defeat), King Vipula and King Sumitra. Also, Arjun assisted by Bhima on only a single car subjugated all the kings of the East backed by ten thousand cars. In the same way, having conquered on a single car the whole of the south, Dhananjaya sent unto the kingdom of the Kurus a large booty.
6] GANDHARVA Angaraparna : This incident occurred enroute to Draupadi swayamwar. Arjun did NOT EVEN have a bow! (They were in Brahmin disguise, remember?) Yet, he not only warded off Gandharva arrows successfully, but also defeated him using Agneyastra. Here, he used a mere torch as a weapon.
He also spared Angaraparna’s life.
So grateful was the Gandharva, that he offered Arjun (a) Chakshusi science of producing illusions and (b) 100 horses with the speed of mind, who would never tire and who cannot be slayed.
However, Arjuna refused to accept any return gift for his generous act and instead, imparted Agneyastra knowledge TO Angaraparna!
7] DRAUPADI swayamwar – Need I say more? He easily performed the task of targeting the fisheye, which all invited suitors found impossible. Bow placed at swayamwar was Vaishnavachapa.
8] POST swayamwar skirmish – He fought the enraged suitors using the swayamwar bow ... The bow that others could barely lift, let alone string – Arjun fought a battle with it … and won (as usual !!!)
9] SAVIOUR for Apsaras – During 12 year exile, he rescued 5 Apsaras who had been cursed into crocodiles. They gained Moksha only due to Arjun.
Thus, Arjun’s prowess was never solely dependent on the Gandiva bow. Theirs was a SYMBIOTIC ALLIANCE, which brought as much glory to Gandiva bow as it did to Arjun.
But ultimately, a bow is only AS good as its wielder.
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