गाण्डीव

विकिशब्दकोशः तः

यन्त्रोपारोपितकोशांशः[सम्पाद्यताम्]

कल्पद्रुमः[सम्पाद्यताम्]

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।


गाण्डीवः, पुं, क्ली, (गाण्डिर्ग्रन्थिः । “कृदिकारान्ता- दिति ।” ङीषि कृते गाण्डी । सा विद्यते अस्य । “गाण्ड्यजगात् संज्ञायाम् ।” ५ । २ । ११० । इति वः ।) अर्ज्जुनधनुः । इत्यमरः । २ । ८ । ८४ ॥ (यथा, महाभारते । ४ । ४१ । १ । “यन्मां पूर्ब्बमिहापृच्छः शत्रुसेनानिवर्हणम् । गाण्डीवमेतत् पार्थस्य लोकेषु विदितं धनुः ॥” एतद्धनुर्हि ब्रह्मादयोऽपि आदौ धृतवन्तः । यदुक्तं तत्रैव । ४ । ४१ । ५--८ । “एतद्बर्षसहस्रन्तु ब्रह्मा पूर्ब्बमधारयत् । ततोऽनन्तरमेवाथ प्रजापतिरधारयत् ॥ त्रीणि पञ्चशतञ्चैव शक्रोऽशीतिञ्च पञ्च वै । सोमः पञ्चशतं राजा तथैव वरुणः शतम् ॥ पार्थः पञ्च च षष्ठिञ्च वर्षाणि श्वतवाहनः । महावीर्य्यं महद्दीव्यमेतद्धनुरनुत्तमम् ॥ एतच्च मानुषं प्राप्तं वरुणाच्चारुदर्शनम् । पूजितं सुरमर्त्येषु बिभर्त्ति परमं वपुः ॥” स्वाण्डवदाहनार्थं हि वह्निना वरुणशकासादा- नीयधनुरेतदर्ज्जुनाय प्रदत्तम् । तत्कथा यथा, महाभारते । १ । २२६ । १--९ । “एवमुक्तः स भगवान् धूमकेतुर्हु ताशनः । चिन्तयामास वरुणं लोकपालं दिदृक्षया ॥ आदित्यमुदके देवं निवसन्तं जलेश्वरम् । स च तच्चिन्तितं ज्ञात्वा दर्शयामास पावकम् ॥ तमब्रवीद्धूमकेतुः प्रतिगृह्य जलेश्वरम् । चतुर्थं लोकपालानां देवदेवं सनातनम् ॥ सोमेन राज्ञा यद्दत्तं धनुश्चैवेषुधी च ते । तत् प्रयच्छोभयं शीघ्रं रथञ्च कपिलक्षणम् ॥ कार्य्यञ्च सुमहत् पार्थो गाण्डीषेन करिष्यति । चक्रेण वासुदेवश्च तन्ममाद्य प्रदीयताम् ॥ ददानीत्येव वरुणः पावकं प्रत्यभाषत । तदद्भुतं महावीर्य्यं यशःकीर्त्तिविवर्द्धनम् ॥ सर्व्वशस्त्रैरनाधृष्यं सर्ष्वशस्त्रप्रमाथि च । सर्व्वायुधमहामात्रं परसैन्यप्रधर्षणम् ॥ एकं शतसहस्रेण सम्मितं राष्ट्रवर्द्धनम् । चित्रमुच्चावचैर्व्वर्णैः शोमितं श्लक्ष्णमव्रणम् ॥ देवदानवगन्धर्व्वैः पूजितं शाश्वतीः समाः । प्रादाच्चैव धनूरत्नमक्षय्ये च महेषुधी ॥” “तच्च दिव्यं धनुःश्रेष्ठं ब्रह्मणा निर्म्मितं पुरा । गाण्डीवमुपसंगृह्य बभूव मुदितोऽर्ज्जुनः ॥”) कार्म्मुकम् । इति मेदिनी । वे । ३६ ॥

अमरकोशः[सम्पाद्यताम्]

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।


गाण्डीव पुं-नपुं।

अर्जुनधनुः

समानार्थक:गाण्डीव,गाण्डिव

2।8।84।1।1

कपिध्वजस्य गाण्डीवगाण्डिवौ पुन्नपुंसकौ। कोटिरस्याटनी गोधातले ज्याघातवारणे॥

पदार्थ-विभागः : उपकरणम्,आयुधम्

शब्दसागरः[सम्पाद्यताम्]

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।


गाण्डीव¦ mn. (-वः-वं)
1. The bow of ARJUNA.
2. Any bow. E. गाण्डी what affects the cheek, from गण्ड with इञ् affix, then व added, and इ final lengthened; or continuing short, गाण्डिव।

Monier-Williams[सम्पाद्यताम्]

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।


गाण्डीव m. n. ( g. अर्धर्चा-दिPa1n2. 5-2 , 110 )= डिव( अर्जुन's bow) MBh. Hariv. 9798 BhP. i , 7 , 16 Pan5cat. iii , 14 , 11

गाण्डीव m. a bow (in general) L.

Purana index[सम्पाद्यताम्]

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।


--the arrow of Arjuna; फलकम्:F1: भा. I. 7. १६: 9. १५; X. ५८. १३.फलकम्:/F the bow of Arjuna lost its power after कृष्ण's departure to heaven. फलकम्:F2: Vi. V. ३८. २१, २३ and ४५.फलकम्:/F

Purana Encyclopedia[सम्पाद्यताम्]

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।


Gāṇḍīva, Gāṇḍiva : nt.: Name of Arjuna's bow (Gāṇḍiva recognized by Kāśikā on P. 5. 2. 110, but very likely it occurs m. c.).


A. Etymology: So called because it was made of gāṇḍī, i. e. the bow was covered with the skin of rhinoceros (?), or because it was made of the backbone of rhinoceros (?) (eṣa gāṇḍīmayaś cāpaḥ…yatas tad gāṇḍivaṁ dhanuḥ 5. 96. 19; cf. gāṇḍī khaḍgākhyaḥ paśuviśeṣaḥ/tasya vikāro gāṇḍīmayaḥ/tasya hi paśūnāṁ vā pṛṣṭhavaṁśasya dhanuḥ kartuṁ śakyam yataḥ gāṇḍīmayatvād eva tad gāṇḍīvaṁ nāma dhanur abhūt/…gāṇḍī vajragranthis tanmaya ity anye (= Sarvajñanārāyaṇa) Nī. on Bom. Ed. 5. 98. 19).


B. Origin: It was created by Brahman in very old times (purā) 1. 216. 17; 8. 50. 56; Indra fastened an undecaying (ajarā) string on it when Arjuna got ready to fight the Nivātakavacas 3. 165. 14; (however, Aśvatthāman cut it off and Arjuna had to put a new string on it 4. 54. 8).


C. History: After its creation, Brahman first held it for 1000 years, and then it was held successively by Prajāpati for 800 years (?) or 503 years (?) (trīṇi pañcaśataṁ caiva), by Śakra for 85 years, by Soma for 500 years, by Varuṇa for 100 years, and, up to the beginning of the ajñātavāsa, it was with Arjuna for 65 years 4. 38. 39-41; it lay in the Varuṇaloka, perhaps in Varuṇa's lake, and was guarded there by the gods 5. 96. 19; hence the how was considered as properly belonging to Varuṇa (vāruṇaṁ gāṇḍivam) 5. 155. 5; (5. 59. 12); at the time of burning the Khāṇḍava forest, Agni asked Varuṇa to give Gāṇḍīva, which he had received from Soma, to Arjuna since he was to perform great feats with it; Varuṇa agreed to Agni's request 1. 216. 3-4; (17. 1. 39); when Arjuna received it, he bowed to Agni, held the bow firmly, and strung it; at that time there was a loud noise 1. 216. 17-20; 1. 55. 37; 3. 157. 20; 5. 155. 7; according to another version Arjuna received the bow, not before, but after he satisfied god Fire 2. 44. 5; 8. 57. 41; Śaṅkara told Arjuna that the Ganḍīva he now held was the same which her as Nara, had used to chastise the Daityas at the time of Indra's abhiṣeka 3. 41. 3-4.


D. Association of Gāṇḍīva with Arjuna 1. 1. 123; 5. 136. 5; it was considered very suitable for Arjuna 2. 3. 6; 3. 41. 4; 8. 31. 55; hence Arjuna has epithets like gāṇḍīvadhanvan 2. 54. 22; 3 34. 6; 3. 46. 8; 3. 49. 26; 3. 155. 6; 3. 159. 22; 3. 225. 20; 3. 252. 18; 3. 299. 22; 4. 2. 16; 4. 40. 7; 4. 48. 3 (ºdhanvin); 4. 49. 16; 4. 53. 63; 4. 61. 8; 5. 3. 16; 5. 5. 10; 5. 22. 10, 12, 13; 5. 47. 6; 5. 51. 2, 3; 5. 56. 60; 5. 63. 5; 5. 88. 69; 5. 139. 41; 5. 153. 25; 5. 154. 20; 5. 164. 4, 36; 6. 19. 34; 6. 46. 44; 6. 48. 22; 6. 55. 126; 6. 67. 3; 6. 69. 3, 8, 10; 6. 100. 13; 6. 114. 54, 61; 7. 9. 20; 7. 15. 47; 7. 16. 12; 7. 33. 5; 7. 47. 23; 7. 52. 10; 7. 55. 15; 7. 56. 8; 7. 61. 48; 7. 64. 11; 7. 67. 64; 7. 80. 9; 7. 98. 12; 7. 121. 10; 7. 134. 55; 7. 157. 36; 7. 158. 43; 7. 160. 24; 8. 5. 16; 8. 46. 1; 8. 49. 107; 8. 50. 48, 49; 8. 63. 67; 8. 66. 22; 8. 69. 14, 33; 9. 3. 38; 9. 15. 45; 9. 61. 8, 11, 12, 14, 21, 23; 10 5. 18, 19; 10. 12. 25; 10. 14. 7; 10. 16. 2; 11. 20. 4, 15; 11. 21. 3; 11. 23. 19; 12. 2. 7; 12. 5. 14; 12. 40. 20; 12. 53 25; 14. 59. 11; 14. 77. 13; 14. 80. 15; gāṇḍīvabhṛt 5. 23. 26; 14. 77. 1, 6; 1. 83. 11; gāṇḍīvadhārin 5. 169. 12; 6. 41 1; gāṇḍīvin 5. 141. 34; gāṇḍīvabāṇahasta 6. 22. 10.


E. Description: Heavenly (divya) 1. 216. 17; 4. 38. 8, 42; 4. 53. 28, 58; 5. 59. 12; 5. 155. 5, 30; 5. 166. 31; 7. 53. 50; 8 22. 45; 16. 8. 52; 17 1. 32; miraculous (adbhuta) 1. 216. 5; (mahādbhuta) 8. 50. 56; indestructible (akṣayatvaṁ…gāṇḍivasya) 7. 120. 50; best, excellent, great weapon, chief among the bows (śreṣṭha) 8. 22. 45; (uttama) 1. 55. 37; 4. 53. 28; (udāra) 4. 5. 17; (paramāyudha) 4. 38. 37; 4. 52. 3; 17. 1. 37; (lokasāra) 3. 5. 10; 3. 225. 30; (dhanuratna) 1. 216. 7; (dhanuḥśreṣṭha) 4. 48. 5, 21; 5. 94. 37; (dhanuṣāṁ vara) 5. 53. 12; 7. 6. 19; (kārmukamukhya) 2. 44. 6; (kārmukaśreṣṭha) 17 1. 39; famous (viśruta 14. 72. 15) in the world(s) (loke viśruta) 4. 52. 3; 6. 43. 9; (lokeṣu vidita) 4. 38. 36; eternally honoured by gods, demons, Gandharvas, as well as men (devadānavagandharvaiḥ pūjitaṁ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ) 1. 216. 7; 4. 38. 39; long (āyata) 4. 38. 8; (vyāyāmasaham atyartham) 4. 38. 7; big, immeasurable (mahat) 3. 41. 25; 4. 38. 42; 9. 3. 21; 16. 8. 52; (sumahat) 3. 41. 3; 8. 58. 13; (aprameya) 1. 1. 123; (bibharti paramaṁ vapuḥ) 4. 38. 42; as tall as a tāla tree (tālamātra) 5 26. 23; 5. 158. 25; 8. 48. 13; (tṛṇarājasamaṁ mahat) 4. 38. 7 (Nī. tṛṇarājas tālas tatsamam on Bom. Ed. 4. 41. 6); larger in size than all other weapons (sarvāyudhamahāmātram) 1. 216. 5 (Nī. atipramāṇaṁ samṛddhaṁ pradhānaṁ vā on Bom. Ed. 1. 225. 7); 4. 38. 7, 37; alone equal to a hundred thousand (bows ?) (ekaṃ śatasahasreṇa saṁmitam) 1. 216. 5; 4. 38. 6, 38; smooth (ślakṣṇa) 1. 216. 6; 4. 38. 8; fast in action (vegavat) 4. 53. 28; of great strength (mahāvīrya) 1. 216. 5; 4. 38. 6, 42; (ugravīrya) 1. 1. 123; strong (dṛḍha) 5. 155. 30; 3. 40. 11; undecaying (ajara) 8. 22. 45; 16. 8. 52; terrifying (dāruṇa) 4. 38. 8; its sight fearful to timid enemies, but delightful to Karṇa (bhīrūṇām trāsajananau śalya harṣakarau mama) 8 27. 65; (5. 47. 58); uninjured (avraṇa) 1. 216. 6; 4. 38. 8; unassailable by all other weapons (sarvaśastrair anādhṛṣyam) 1. 216. 5; (durādharṣa) 5. 58. 22; (durāsada) 5 59. 12; but overpowering all weapons (sarvaśastrapramāthi) 1. 216. 5; attacking the army of the enemies (parasenāpradharṣaṇa) 1. 216. 5; (śatrusenānibarhaṇa) 4. 38. 36; (sapatnagaṇasūdana) 4. 5. 17; (śatrughna) 4. 53. 28; (bhārasādhana = śatrumardanakṣama Nī. on Bom. Ed. 4. 58. 31) 4. 53. 28; destroyer of Daityas and Piśācas (ditijapiśācasūdana) 3. 41. 25; producing big sound (mahāghoṣa) 4. 5. 17 (see the next Section


F. ); whose heaviness caused pounding as by vajra (vajraniṣpeṣagaurava) 3. 12. 40 (vajreṇa niṣpeṣaś cūrṇībhāvo yasya parvatasya tadvat gauravaṁ gurutvaṁ yasya Nī. on Bom. Ed. 3. 11 40); not causing fear (when unstrung) (abhayaṁkara) 4. 5. 17; colourful, decorated with various colours (citram uccāvacair varṇaiḥ śobhitam) 1. 216. 6; decorated with gold (śātakumbhapariṣkṛta) 4. 38. 37; (suvarṇapṛṣṭha) 4. 56. 4; (rukmapṛṣṭha) 6. 67. 4; (jāmbūnadavicitra) 9. 3, 21; (suvarṇavikṛta) 4. 38. 8; marked with a hundred drops of gold, and also with a thousand crore(?) of them (bindavo jātarūpasya śataṁ yasmin nipātitāḥ/sahasrakoṭisauvarṇāḥ) 4. 38. 20; hence lustrous (tejomaya) 5. 58. 22; 5. 155. 30; (dīpyamānam ivākāśe) 6. 112. 113; having the lustre of the sun (arkavarcas) 4. 38. 17; a stretched Gāṇḍīva compared with lightning, fire, and Indra's weapon (yathā balāhake vidyut pāvako vā śiloccaye/tathā gāṇḍīvam abhavad indrāyudham ivātatam) 4. 58. 1011; (gāṇḍīvendrāyudhojjvala) 3. 84. 11; Gāṇḍīva counted among the three forces (tejāṁsi) that came together on Arjuna's chariot (the other two being Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna himself) 5. 51. 11; it caused the territory to prosper (rāṣtravardhana) 1. 216. 6; 4. 38. 6, 38; it spread the name and fame of its possessor (yaśaḥkīrtivivardhana) 1. 216. 5; none of the Kauravas had a bow to match with Gāṇḍīva--that was Dhṛtarāṣṭra's regret 5. 51. 12; according to Karṇa, however, his bow (Vijaya) superior to Gāṇḍīva 8. 22. 39.


F. Big sound: Famous for the big sound it produced, i. e. the sound produced by the string while striking against the forearm of Arjuna (jyāghoṣa 3. 40. 9; jyānināda 7. 65. 14; jyātalanirghoṣa 6. 116. 20; maurvyās talaniṣpeṣam 5. 47. 47; jyayā samāhatya tale bhṛśaṁ ca 8. 60. 12), which filled all directions, reached the sky, shook the earth, and, being unbearable, caused fear in the minds of hearers, especially the opponents; the sound often referred to as nirghoṣa or ghoṣa 2. 72. 32; 4. 41. 14, 18; 4. 57. 10; 4. 61. 9, 27; 5. 47. 58; 5. 140. 7; 6. 45. 16; 6. 67. 2, 11; 6. 74. 30; 6. 116. 20; 7. 3. 14, 15, 19; 7. 9. 23; 7. 29. 31, 32; 7. 65. 15 (elephants frightened); 7. 85. 37; 7. 102. 6; 7. 114. 91; 8. 27. 48; 8. 37. 1; 8. 59. 15; 8. 60. 12; 9. 3. 19, 33; 9. 27. 61; or as mahāsvana, nisvana or svana 4. 40. 25; 4. 41. 15; 4. 48. 2; 5. 136. 26; 6. 55. 114; 6. 56. 26 (nirhrādamahāsvana); 6. 108. 14; 7. 145. 44, 45; 8. 58. 13 (bhairavasvana); 8. 67. 19; or as praṇāda, ninada 6. 55. 116; 7. 65. 14; 7. 145. 46; or as nirhāda 6. 56. 26; 14. 72. 15 (bhīmanirhāda); or as śabda 4. 40. 27; 4. 41. 16; 5. 26. 24; 5. 47. 47; 6. 55. 113, 115; 7. 9. 19; 7. 51. 40; 7. 95. 9; or by the verb ras- 7. 3. 19; sound compared with the roar of a thunder (visphūrjitam ivāśaneḥ) 3. 48. 9; 4. 48. 5; 4. 57. 10; 5. 140. 7; 6. 116. 20; 7. 3. 15; 8. 26. 29; 3. 252. 17, 5. 23. 20 (stanayitnughoṣa); 6. 55. 105 (stanayitnukalpa); 5. 47. 47 (vajraniṣpeṣatulya); or with the roar of a cloud (prāvṛḍjaladanisvana) 7. 9. 23; 3. 41. 3; hearing (or non-hearing) the sound meant different things on different occasions:

(1) hearing it Droṇa knew Arjuna was proceeding towards Bhīṣma 6. 108. 14;

(2) Karṇa inferred that Arjuna must have killed the Śibis and the Pauravas 7. 145. 4546;

(3) Sātyaki concluded that Arjuna must be nearby 7. 95. 9;

(4) it became a rallying point to Virāṭa, Drupada and other kings 6. 55. 115;

(5) when not heard, Yudhiṣṭhira became anxious about Arjuna's safety 7. 85. 37; 7. 102. 6;

(6) Arjuna made the twang of his bow (gāṇḍīvaṁ prākṣipat pāṛthaḥ) to express joy at the defeat of Karṇa by Bhīma 7. 104. 31.


G. Use by Arjuna: 1. Besides Arjuna, the bow (Gāṇḍiva) could be strung only by Bhīma and Kṛṣṇa 3. 13. 69; but it was, in fact, used only by Arjuna, hence blame could attach to Gāṇḍiva of Arjuna if it was not used against Duryodhana 3. 13. 70; 4. 20. 1; Arjuna's association with Gāṇḍīva and dependence of Pāṇḍavas' victory on it often stressed 1. 216 29; 2. 66. 12; 3. 6. 9; 4. 5. 17; 4. 38. 37; 5. 124. 2; 8. 69. 24; Arjuna owed a debt to his bow from which he would be free by killing Karṇa 8. 52. 23; Arjuna could wield the bow with both hands equally dexterously (ubhau me dakṣiṇau pāṇī gāṇḍīvasya vikarṣaṇe), hence he was called Savyasācin 4. 39. 17; 4. 56. 4; 4. 59. 12; 7. 51. 40; Arjuna cleaned the bow-string and the bow before use 8. 52. 2 (jyām anumṛjya); 7. 18. 9 (gāṇḍīvam upasamṛjya); left unstrung when it was not to be used for a long time (apajyam akarot) 4. 5. 17; when not held in hand (and left unstrung) Gāṇḍīva gaped (anālabdhaṁ jṛmbhati gāṇḍivaṁ dhanuḥ) 5. 47. 96; before putting an arrow to the bow, Arjuna just touched it (i. e. touched the bow-string) 8. 57. 15 (saṁspṛśan gāṇḍivaṁ dhanuḥ), or stretched it with force (balavat 7. 78. 36) (vy-ā-kṣip-, vi-kṣip-, prā-kṣip-) so that it produced big sound 4. 40. 24-27; 6. 114. 43; 6. 116. 19; 7. 51. 40; 7. 80. 35; 7. 104. 31; 8. 32. 7; 8. 52. 2; 9. 13. 26; 9. 17. 6; 9. 18. 64; 14. 72. 8; 14. 74. 4; (vi-sphāraya-) 7. 78. 36; 8. 21. 15; (ā-yam-) 7. 80. 31; while shooting arrows, Arjuna shook it (dodhūyamāna, (vi)dhūyamāna, (vi)dhunvan) 4. 48. 2; 5. 23. 20; 5. 47. 47; 6. 65. 9; 7. 53. 20; 7. 64. 18; 9. 3. 21; when moved in a circle it looked like a firebrand (alāta) 9. 3. 20; (agnicakra) 4. 59. 12; or like a lightning (vidyut) 9. 3. 21, and Arjuna looked like the sun at the end of the aeon (yugānta) 8. 57. 55; it as if flew in all directions like a lightning 4. 58. 11; Arjuna recited mantras on Gāṇḍīva, (the bow-string, and the arrows) on special occasions:

(1) while releasing the vajra-like arrows by employing the vajra missible of Indra against the Nivātakavacas (anumantrya ca gāṇḍīvam) 3. 169. 1314;

(2) while shooting three arrows to produce a pillow for Bhīṣma (āmantrya gāṇḍīvam) 6. 115. 41, and (3) to procure water from the earth for Bhīṣma (śaraṁ dīptam abhimantrya) 6. 116. 19-23;

(4) while using Aindrāstra to combat the Brahmāstra of Karṇa (gāṇḍīvaṁ jyāṁ ca bāṇāṁś ca anumantrya dhanaṁjayaḥ/ asṛjac charavarṣāṇi) 8. 66. 49; Arjuna called mantravid when be made a sort of satyakriyā (anena satyena nihantv ayaṁ śaraḥ) while shooting the arrow that killed Karṇa 8. 67. 19-20; 2. After receiving Gāṇḍīva from Varuṇa Arjuna must have used it on all occasions; specific mention of arrows or missiles released (or to be released) from Gāṇḍīva (which went straight to the target) is found at 3. 34. 83; 3. 172. 5; 3. 252. 18; 4. 45. 23-24; 4. 52. 8; 4. 55. 21; 4. 60. 13; 5. 23. 20; 5. 47. 48, (55, 58); 7. 65. 16; 7. 68. 5, 33; 7. 120. 85; 7. 145. 50; 8. 12. 38; 8. 21. 15-17; 8. 42. 46; 8. 46. 42; 8. 51. 83; 8. 52. 8; 8. 52. 13-14; 8. 58. 13; 9. 23. 57; 9. 24. 1; 14. 74. 14; 14. 83. 30; 14. 85. 5, 15; 16. 9. 21; no one realized the time that elapsed between Arjuna's drawing out the arrow from the quiver, his putting it to the bow, and discharging it from Gāṇḍīva 4. 57. 19; hence the arrows sped like mind or wind (manonilasamā jave) 7. 53. 42; (ativegavantaḥ) 3. 252. 17; (śīghravegān) 3. 252. 18; they appeared to follow each other in close succession (saṁsaktā yānti sāyakāḥ) 5. 164. 4; they appeared like the rows of bees (and this was highly thought of by Mātali) 3. 167. 22, or like a swarm of moths (3. 252. 18); or like the rows of swans in the sky 7. 121. 3; the arrows released from Gāṇḍīva had the impact of the thunderbolt of Indra (indrāśanisamasparśāḥ) 9. 23. 55; 9. 24. 2; 3. 169. 15 (vajracoditā bāṇāḥ); or they shone like a lightning (vajrāśanisamaprabhān) 14. 78. 27; (aśaniprākāśaiḥ) 4. 49. 22; the arrows released from Gāṇḍīva were burning and produced fire 5. 56. 27; 5. 141. 42; 8. 52. 32; 4. 45. 23; 8. 46. 42; [also see the following section]; 3. Specific mention of the bow: Arjuna must have used Gāṇḍīva on all occassions (5. 53. 1) starting from its use when Arjuna helped god Fire to burn the Khāṇḍava forest (1. 217-219); the bow is specifically mentioned by name when Arjuna got ready to fight with Kirmīra 3. 12. 40; started off to meat Indra to acquire heavenly weapons 3. 38. 15; lifted it to shoot at the boar (Daitya Mūka) 3. 40. 9; fought with Kirāta (Śaṅkara) 3. 40. 29; in this fight the bow (not named) was swallowed by Śaṅkara 3. 40. 39-40, and then returned to Arjuna 3. 41. 4, 25; used while fighting with the Nivātakavacas 3. 167. 6, 22; 3. 168. 23; 3. 169. 2; with Kālakeyas 3. 170. 40, 50; (at the time of cattle-raid) while fighting with Karṇa 4. 49. 22; with Kṛpa 4. 52. 3, 8; with Droṇa 4. 53. 28, 58; at the start of the epic war Arjuna raised his bow (Gāṇḍīva not named) while asking Kṛṣṇa to station his chariot between the two armies 6. 23. 20; out of dejection Gāṇḍīva slipped down from Arjuna's hand 6. 23. 30; but afterwards he used it successfully in the war 6. 41. 1; he used it to attack Bhīṣma 6. 43. 9; 6. 81. 10; to fight with Sudakṣiṇa (a Kāmboja prince) 7. 67. 61; its use against Jayadratha hinted 3. 252. 17, 18; while forcing his way towards Jayadratha 1. 1. 137; Arjuna, with Gāṇḍīva in hand, stood guard on the ground when, while marching towards Jayadratha, Kṛṣṇa refreshed the horses 7. 74. 41; while aiming the arrow at Jayadratha 7. 89. 17; to cut off Jayadratha's head 7. 121. 3; while fighting with Karṇa 7. 114. 82, 83, 87; 8. 68. 37; Arjuna bent his bow (dhanur vināmya) while boasting about himself 8. 49. 92; he used it to fight with Aśvatthāman 9. 13. 26; to protect Yudhiṣṭhira 9. 17. 6; to foil the attempt of Śakuni's warriors to kill Sahadeva 9. 28. 3, 30; while fighting with Vajradatta (son of Bhagadatta of Prāgjyotiṣa) 14. 74. 4, 5, 14; and when Vajradatta's elephant attacked Arjuna 14. 75. 10; at the end of the epic war when the Pāṇḍavas reached the camp of Duryodhana Kṛṣṇa asked Arjuna to unstring the Gāṇḍīva 9. 61. 9; he used it while fighting with Babhruvāhana 14. 78. 27; with Meghasandhi (son of Jarāsandha) 14. 83. 11, 15; with the Mleccha armies of the Vaṅga, the Puṇḍra, and the Kerala countries 14. 83. 29-30; to fight with the Dasyus 16. 8. 52, 58.


H. Arjuna's vow regarding Gāṇḍīva: It was Arjuna's secret vow (upāṁśuvrata, vrata) to kill a person who asked him to give away his Gāṇḍīva to some one else 8. 49. 9, 61-62; (pratijñā) 8. 49. 11, 63; but the vow was apparently known to Kṛṣṇa (8. 49. 61) and to Yudhiṣṭhira 8. 49. 107-109 (pratijñā); Yudhiṣṭhira, in a fit of anger, asked Arjuna to give away Gāṇḍīva to Kṛṣṇa and act as his charioteer, and hence Yudhiṣṭhira's life was in danger 8. 48. 14; 8. 49. 1.


I. Comparisons: 1 (i) Arjuna with the stretched Gāṇḍīva forming a full circle appeared like the sun with a halo arround it (yathaiva sūryaḥ pariveṣagas tathā) 8. 57. 57; (ii) when Arjuna released arrows using both hands, Gāṇḍīva looked like a swinging wheel of fire (agnicakram ivābaddham) 4. 59. 12; (iii) in the sacrifice to be performed with weapons (śastrayajña), Gānḍīva would serve as a sacrificial ladle (sruc) 5. 139. 30; 2. Standard of comparison: (i) The lustre of Rukmin's bow (Vijaya), obtained from Mahendra, compared with that of Gāṇḍīva 5. 155. 4; (ii) the sound (ghoṣa) of Abhimanyu's bow compared with that of Gāṇḍīva 6. 45. 16


J. Defeat: 1. Occasional: (i) When Arjuna's arrows had no effect on the armour of Duryodhana, Kṛṣṇa asked Arjuna whether his Gāṇḍīva had lost its former force (prāṇāḥ) 7. 78. 7; (ii) Jayadratha on one occasion succeeded in piercing the Gāṇḍīva with three arrows 7. 121. 12; (iii) as long as Karṇa had his armour, ear-rings, and the śakti, Arjuna, even with his Gāṇḍīva, could not defeat Karṇa 7. 155. 17; 7. 155. 13-15; (iv) when Aśvatthaman excelled Arjuna, Krṣṇa in surprise asked him whether he still held the Gāṇḍīva in his hand 8. 40. 124; (v) Gāṇḍīva dropped down from the hand of Arjuna when Dhṛtavarman of the Trigartas hit Arjuna on his hand with a sharp arrow 14. 73. 22-24 (picked up by Arjuna 14. 75. 24); (vi) when the Sindhu kings attacked Arjuna and he swooned, Gāṇḍīva slipped from his hand 14. 76. 21, (which he picked up again 14. 76. 26); (vii) According to Ulūka, Gāṇḍīva of no help to Arjuna at the game of dice 5. 158. 28-29; 2. Final: When Arjuna was taking with him the Vṛṣṇi women to Hāstinapura, he was attacked on way by the Dasyus; at that time Arjuna could string the Gāṇḍīva with great effort (yatnād iva kathaṁcana; kṛcchreṇa) 16. 8. 52-53; his arrows were exhausted so that Arjuna had to strike the Dasyus with the tip of the bow (dhanuṣkoṭyā) 16. 8. 58-60, 63 (dhanuṣaś cāvidheyatvāt); 16. 9. 17-18; this was the defeat of Gāṇḍīva (gāṇḍīvasya parābhavam) 1. 2. 226.


K. Returned to Varuṇa: When the Pāṇḍavas started for the forest, Arjuna would not leave his bow and quivers behind; Agni, who had burnt the Khāṇḍava, asked Arjuna to abandon the bow as it had no further purpose to serve; Agni got it from Varuṇa for Arjuna, hence Arjuna should return it to Varuṇa; at the instance of his brothers, Arjuna dropped the bow and the quivers into the water 17. 1. 32, 36-37, 39-40.


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Mahabharata Cultural Index[सम्पाद्यताम्]

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।


Gāṇḍīva, Gāṇḍiva : nt.: Name of Arjuna's bow (Gāṇḍiva recognized by Kāśikā on P. 5. 2. 110, but very likely it occurs m. c.).


A. Etymology: So called because it was made of gāṇḍī, i. e. the bow was covered with the skin of rhinoceros (?), or because it was made of the backbone of rhinoceros (?) (eṣa gāṇḍīmayaś cāpaḥ…yatas tad gāṇḍivaṁ dhanuḥ 5. 96. 19; cf. gāṇḍī khaḍgākhyaḥ paśuviśeṣaḥ/tasya vikāro gāṇḍīmayaḥ/tasya hi paśūnāṁ vā pṛṣṭhavaṁśasya dhanuḥ kartuṁ śakyam yataḥ gāṇḍīmayatvād eva tad gāṇḍīvaṁ nāma dhanur abhūt/…gāṇḍī vajragranthis tanmaya ity anye (= Sarvajñanārāyaṇa) Nī. on Bom. Ed. 5. 98. 19).


B. Origin: It was created by Brahman in very old times (purā) 1. 216. 17; 8. 50. 56; Indra fastened an undecaying (ajarā) string on it when Arjuna got ready to fight the Nivātakavacas 3. 165. 14; (however, Aśvatthāman cut it off and Arjuna had to put a new string on it 4. 54. 8).


C. History: After its creation, Brahman first held it for 1000 years, and then it was held successively by Prajāpati for 800 years (?) or 503 years (?) (trīṇi pañcaśataṁ caiva), by Śakra for 85 years, by Soma for 500 years, by Varuṇa for 100 years, and, up to the beginning of the ajñātavāsa, it was with Arjuna for 65 years 4. 38. 39-41; it lay in the Varuṇaloka, perhaps in Varuṇa's lake, and was guarded there by the gods 5. 96. 19; hence the how was considered as properly belonging to Varuṇa (vāruṇaṁ gāṇḍivam) 5. 155. 5; (5. 59. 12); at the time of burning the Khāṇḍava forest, Agni asked Varuṇa to give Gāṇḍīva, which he had received from Soma, to Arjuna since he was to perform great feats with it; Varuṇa agreed to Agni's request 1. 216. 3-4; (17. 1. 39); when Arjuna received it, he bowed to Agni, held the bow firmly, and strung it; at that time there was a loud noise 1. 216. 17-20; 1. 55. 37; 3. 157. 20; 5. 155. 7; according to another version Arjuna received the bow, not before, but after he satisfied god Fire 2. 44. 5; 8. 57. 41; Śaṅkara told Arjuna that the Ganḍīva he now held was the same which her as Nara, had used to chastise the Daityas at the time of Indra's abhiṣeka 3. 41. 3-4.


D. Association of Gāṇḍīva with Arjuna 1. 1. 123; 5. 136. 5; it was considered very suitable for Arjuna 2. 3. 6; 3. 41. 4; 8. 31. 55; hence Arjuna has epithets like gāṇḍīvadhanvan 2. 54. 22; 3 34. 6; 3. 46. 8; 3. 49. 26; 3. 155. 6; 3. 159. 22; 3. 225. 20; 3. 252. 18; 3. 299. 22; 4. 2. 16; 4. 40. 7; 4. 48. 3 (ºdhanvin); 4. 49. 16; 4. 53. 63; 4. 61. 8; 5. 3. 16; 5. 5. 10; 5. 22. 10, 12, 13; 5. 47. 6; 5. 51. 2, 3; 5. 56. 60; 5. 63. 5; 5. 88. 69; 5. 139. 41; 5. 153. 25; 5. 154. 20; 5. 164. 4, 36; 6. 19. 34; 6. 46. 44; 6. 48. 22; 6. 55. 126; 6. 67. 3; 6. 69. 3, 8, 10; 6. 100. 13; 6. 114. 54, 61; 7. 9. 20; 7. 15. 47; 7. 16. 12; 7. 33. 5; 7. 47. 23; 7. 52. 10; 7. 55. 15; 7. 56. 8; 7. 61. 48; 7. 64. 11; 7. 67. 64; 7. 80. 9; 7. 98. 12; 7. 121. 10; 7. 134. 55; 7. 157. 36; 7. 158. 43; 7. 160. 24; 8. 5. 16; 8. 46. 1; 8. 49. 107; 8. 50. 48, 49; 8. 63. 67; 8. 66. 22; 8. 69. 14, 33; 9. 3. 38; 9. 15. 45; 9. 61. 8, 11, 12, 14, 21, 23; 10 5. 18, 19; 10. 12. 25; 10. 14. 7; 10. 16. 2; 11. 20. 4, 15; 11. 21. 3; 11. 23. 19; 12. 2. 7; 12. 5. 14; 12. 40. 20; 12. 53 25; 14. 59. 11; 14. 77. 13; 14. 80. 15; gāṇḍīvabhṛt 5. 23. 26; 14. 77. 1, 6; 1. 83. 11; gāṇḍīvadhārin 5. 169. 12; 6. 41 1; gāṇḍīvin 5. 141. 34; gāṇḍīvabāṇahasta 6. 22. 10.


E. Description: Heavenly (divya) 1. 216. 17; 4. 38. 8, 42; 4. 53. 28, 58; 5. 59. 12; 5. 155. 5, 30; 5. 166. 31; 7. 53. 50; 8 22. 45; 16. 8. 52; 17 1. 32; miraculous (adbhuta) 1. 216. 5; (mahādbhuta) 8. 50. 56; indestructible (akṣayatvaṁ…gāṇḍivasya) 7. 120. 50; best, excellent, great weapon, chief among the bows (śreṣṭha) 8. 22. 45; (uttama) 1. 55. 37; 4. 53. 28; (udāra) 4. 5. 17; (paramāyudha) 4. 38. 37; 4. 52. 3; 17. 1. 37; (lokasāra) 3. 5. 10; 3. 225. 30; (dhanuratna) 1. 216. 7; (dhanuḥśreṣṭha) 4. 48. 5, 21; 5. 94. 37; (dhanuṣāṁ vara) 5. 53. 12; 7. 6. 19; (kārmukamukhya) 2. 44. 6; (kārmukaśreṣṭha) 17 1. 39; famous (viśruta 14. 72. 15) in the world(s) (loke viśruta) 4. 52. 3; 6. 43. 9; (lokeṣu vidita) 4. 38. 36; eternally honoured by gods, demons, Gandharvas, as well as men (devadānavagandharvaiḥ pūjitaṁ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ) 1. 216. 7; 4. 38. 39; long (āyata) 4. 38. 8; (vyāyāmasaham atyartham) 4. 38. 7; big, immeasurable (mahat) 3. 41. 25; 4. 38. 42; 9. 3. 21; 16. 8. 52; (sumahat) 3. 41. 3; 8. 58. 13; (aprameya) 1. 1. 123; (bibharti paramaṁ vapuḥ) 4. 38. 42; as tall as a tāla tree (tālamātra) 5 26. 23; 5. 158. 25; 8. 48. 13; (tṛṇarājasamaṁ mahat) 4. 38. 7 (Nī. tṛṇarājas tālas tatsamam on Bom. Ed. 4. 41. 6); larger in size than all other weapons (sarvāyudhamahāmātram) 1. 216. 5 (Nī. atipramāṇaṁ samṛddhaṁ pradhānaṁ vā on Bom. Ed. 1. 225. 7); 4. 38. 7, 37; alone equal to a hundred thousand (bows ?) (ekaṃ śatasahasreṇa saṁmitam) 1. 216. 5; 4. 38. 6, 38; smooth (ślakṣṇa) 1. 216. 6; 4. 38. 8; fast in action (vegavat) 4. 53. 28; of great strength (mahāvīrya) 1. 216. 5; 4. 38. 6, 42; (ugravīrya) 1. 1. 123; strong (dṛḍha) 5. 155. 30; 3. 40. 11; undecaying (ajara) 8. 22. 45; 16. 8. 52; terrifying (dāruṇa) 4. 38. 8; its sight fearful to timid enemies, but delightful to Karṇa (bhīrūṇām trāsajananau śalya harṣakarau mama) 8 27. 65; (5. 47. 58); uninjured (avraṇa) 1. 216. 6; 4. 38. 8; unassailable by all other weapons (sarvaśastrair anādhṛṣyam) 1. 216. 5; (durādharṣa) 5. 58. 22; (durāsada) 5 59. 12; but overpowering all weapons (sarvaśastrapramāthi) 1. 216. 5; attacking the army of the enemies (parasenāpradharṣaṇa) 1. 216. 5; (śatrusenānibarhaṇa) 4. 38. 36; (sapatnagaṇasūdana) 4. 5. 17; (śatrughna) 4. 53. 28; (bhārasādhana = śatrumardanakṣama Nī. on Bom. Ed. 4. 58. 31) 4. 53. 28; destroyer of Daityas and Piśācas (ditijapiśācasūdana) 3. 41. 25; producing big sound (mahāghoṣa) 4. 5. 17 (see the next Section


F. ); whose heaviness caused pounding as by vajra (vajraniṣpeṣagaurava) 3. 12. 40 (vajreṇa niṣpeṣaś cūrṇībhāvo yasya parvatasya tadvat gauravaṁ gurutvaṁ yasya Nī. on Bom. Ed. 3. 11 40); not causing fear (when unstrung) (abhayaṁkara) 4. 5. 17; colourful, decorated with various colours (citram uccāvacair varṇaiḥ śobhitam) 1. 216. 6; decorated with gold (śātakumbhapariṣkṛta) 4. 38. 37; (suvarṇapṛṣṭha) 4. 56. 4; (rukmapṛṣṭha) 6. 67. 4; (jāmbūnadavicitra) 9. 3, 21; (suvarṇavikṛta) 4. 38. 8; marked with a hundred drops of gold, and also with a thousand crore(?) of them (bindavo jātarūpasya śataṁ yasmin nipātitāḥ/sahasrakoṭisauvarṇāḥ) 4. 38. 20; hence lustrous (tejomaya) 5. 58. 22; 5. 155. 30; (dīpyamānam ivākāśe) 6. 112. 113; having the lustre of the sun (arkavarcas) 4. 38. 17; a stretched Gāṇḍīva compared with lightning, fire, and Indra's weapon (yathā balāhake vidyut pāvako vā śiloccaye/tathā gāṇḍīvam abhavad indrāyudham ivātatam) 4. 58. 1011; (gāṇḍīvendrāyudhojjvala) 3. 84. 11; Gāṇḍīva counted among the three forces (tejāṁsi) that came together on Arjuna's chariot (the other two being Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna himself) 5. 51. 11; it caused the territory to prosper (rāṣtravardhana) 1. 216. 6; 4. 38. 6, 38; it spread the name and fame of its possessor (yaśaḥkīrtivivardhana) 1. 216. 5; none of the Kauravas had a bow to match with Gāṇḍīva--that was Dhṛtarāṣṭra's regret 5. 51. 12; according to Karṇa, however, his bow (Vijaya) superior to Gāṇḍīva 8. 22. 39.


F. Big sound: Famous for the big sound it produced, i. e. the sound produced by the string while striking against the forearm of Arjuna (jyāghoṣa 3. 40. 9; jyānināda 7. 65. 14; jyātalanirghoṣa 6. 116. 20; maurvyās talaniṣpeṣam 5. 47. 47; jyayā samāhatya tale bhṛśaṁ ca 8. 60. 12), which filled all directions, reached the sky, shook the earth, and, being unbearable, caused fear in the minds of hearers, especially the opponents; the sound often referred to as nirghoṣa or ghoṣa 2. 72. 32; 4. 41. 14, 18; 4. 57. 10; 4. 61. 9, 27; 5. 47. 58; 5. 140. 7; 6. 45. 16; 6. 67. 2, 11; 6. 74. 30; 6. 116. 20; 7. 3. 14, 15, 19; 7. 9. 23; 7. 29. 31, 32; 7. 65. 15 (elephants frightened); 7. 85. 37; 7. 102. 6; 7. 114. 91; 8. 27. 48; 8. 37. 1; 8. 59. 15; 8. 60. 12; 9. 3. 19, 33; 9. 27. 61; or as mahāsvana, nisvana or svana 4. 40. 25; 4. 41. 15; 4. 48. 2; 5. 136. 26; 6. 55. 114; 6. 56. 26 (nirhrādamahāsvana); 6. 108. 14; 7. 145. 44, 45; 8. 58. 13 (bhairavasvana); 8. 67. 19; or as praṇāda, ninada 6. 55. 116; 7. 65. 14; 7. 145. 46; or as nirhāda 6. 56. 26; 14. 72. 15 (bhīmanirhāda); or as śabda 4. 40. 27; 4. 41. 16; 5. 26. 24; 5. 47. 47; 6. 55. 113, 115; 7. 9. 19; 7. 51. 40; 7. 95. 9; or by the verb ras- 7. 3. 19; sound compared with the roar of a thunder (visphūrjitam ivāśaneḥ) 3. 48. 9; 4. 48. 5; 4. 57. 10; 5. 140. 7; 6. 116. 20; 7. 3. 15; 8. 26. 29; 3. 252. 17, 5. 23. 20 (stanayitnughoṣa); 6. 55. 105 (stanayitnukalpa); 5. 47. 47 (vajraniṣpeṣatulya); or with the roar of a cloud (prāvṛḍjaladanisvana) 7. 9. 23; 3. 41. 3; hearing (or non-hearing) the sound meant different things on different occasions:

(1) hearing it Droṇa knew Arjuna was proceeding towards Bhīṣma 6. 108. 14;

(2) Karṇa inferred that Arjuna must have killed the Śibis and the Pauravas 7. 145. 4546;

(3) Sātyaki concluded that Arjuna must be nearby 7. 95. 9;

(4) it became a rallying point to Virāṭa, Drupada and other kings 6. 55. 115;

(5) when not heard, Yudhiṣṭhira became anxious about Arjuna's safety 7. 85. 37; 7. 102. 6;

(6) Arjuna made the twang of his bow (gāṇḍīvaṁ prākṣipat pāṛthaḥ) to express joy at the defeat of Karṇa by Bhīma 7. 104. 31.


G. Use by Arjuna: 1. Besides Arjuna, the bow (Gāṇḍiva) could be strung only by Bhīma and Kṛṣṇa 3. 13. 69; but it was, in fact, used only by Arjuna, hence blame could attach to Gāṇḍiva of Arjuna if it was not used against Duryodhana 3. 13. 70; 4. 20. 1; Arjuna's association with Gāṇḍīva and dependence of Pāṇḍavas' victory on it often stressed 1. 216 29; 2. 66. 12; 3. 6. 9; 4. 5. 17; 4. 38. 37; 5. 124. 2; 8. 69. 24; Arjuna owed a debt to his bow from which he would be free by killing Karṇa 8. 52. 23; Arjuna could wield the bow with both hands equally dexterously (ubhau me dakṣiṇau pāṇī gāṇḍīvasya vikarṣaṇe), hence he was called Savyasācin 4. 39. 17; 4. 56. 4; 4. 59. 12; 7. 51. 40; Arjuna cleaned the bow-string and the bow before use 8. 52. 2 (jyām anumṛjya); 7. 18. 9 (gāṇḍīvam upasamṛjya); left unstrung when it was not to be used for a long time (apajyam akarot) 4. 5. 17; when not held in hand (and left unstrung) Gāṇḍīva gaped (anālabdhaṁ jṛmbhati gāṇḍivaṁ dhanuḥ) 5. 47. 96; before putting an arrow to the bow, Arjuna just touched it (i. e. touched the bow-string) 8. 57. 15 (saṁspṛśan gāṇḍivaṁ dhanuḥ), or stretched it with force (balavat 7. 78. 36) (vy-ā-kṣip-, vi-kṣip-, prā-kṣip-) so that it produced big sound 4. 40. 24-27; 6. 114. 43; 6. 116. 19; 7. 51. 40; 7. 80. 35; 7. 104. 31; 8. 32. 7; 8. 52. 2; 9. 13. 26; 9. 17. 6; 9. 18. 64; 14. 72. 8; 14. 74. 4; (vi-sphāraya-) 7. 78. 36; 8. 21. 15; (ā-yam-) 7. 80. 31; while shooting arrows, Arjuna shook it (dodhūyamāna, (vi)dhūyamāna, (vi)dhunvan) 4. 48. 2; 5. 23. 20; 5. 47. 47; 6. 65. 9; 7. 53. 20; 7. 64. 18; 9. 3. 21; when moved in a circle it looked like a firebrand (alāta) 9. 3. 20; (agnicakra) 4. 59. 12; or like a lightning (vidyut) 9. 3. 21, and Arjuna looked like the sun at the end of the aeon (yugānta) 8. 57. 55; it as if flew in all directions like a lightning 4. 58. 11; Arjuna recited mantras on Gāṇḍīva, (the bow-string, and the arrows) on special occasions:

(1) while releasing the vajra-like arrows by employing the vajra missible of Indra against the Nivātakavacas (anumantrya ca gāṇḍīvam) 3. 169. 1314;

(2) while shooting three arrows to produce a pillow for Bhīṣma (āmantrya gāṇḍīvam) 6. 115. 41, and (3) to procure water from the earth for Bhīṣma (śaraṁ dīptam abhimantrya) 6. 116. 19-23;

(4) while using Aindrāstra to combat the Brahmāstra of Karṇa (gāṇḍīvaṁ jyāṁ ca bāṇāṁś ca anumantrya dhanaṁjayaḥ/ asṛjac charavarṣāṇi) 8. 66. 49; Arjuna called mantravid when be made a sort of satyakriyā (anena satyena nihantv ayaṁ śaraḥ) while shooting the arrow that killed Karṇa 8. 67. 19-20; 2. After receiving Gāṇḍīva from Varuṇa Arjuna must have used it on all occasions; specific mention of arrows or missiles released (or to be released) from Gāṇḍīva (which went straight to the target) is found at 3. 34. 83; 3. 172. 5; 3. 252. 18; 4. 45. 23-24; 4. 52. 8; 4. 55. 21; 4. 60. 13; 5. 23. 20; 5. 47. 48, (55, 58); 7. 65. 16; 7. 68. 5, 33; 7. 120. 85; 7. 145. 50; 8. 12. 38; 8. 21. 15-17; 8. 42. 46; 8. 46. 42; 8. 51. 83; 8. 52. 8; 8. 52. 13-14; 8. 58. 13; 9. 23. 57; 9. 24. 1; 14. 74. 14; 14. 83. 30; 14. 85. 5, 15; 16. 9. 21; no one realized the time that elapsed between Arjuna's drawing out the arrow from the quiver, his putting it to the bow, and discharging it from Gāṇḍīva 4. 57. 19; hence the arrows sped like mind or wind (manonilasamā jave) 7. 53. 42; (ativegavantaḥ) 3. 252. 17; (śīghravegān) 3. 252. 18; they appeared to follow each other in close succession (saṁsaktā yānti sāyakāḥ) 5. 164. 4; they appeared like the rows of bees (and this was highly thought of by Mātali) 3. 167. 22, or like a swarm of moths (3. 252. 18); or like the rows of swans in the sky 7. 121. 3; the arrows released from Gāṇḍīva had the impact of the thunderbolt of Indra (indrāśanisamasparśāḥ) 9. 23. 55; 9. 24. 2; 3. 169. 15 (vajracoditā bāṇāḥ); or they shone like a lightning (vajrāśanisamaprabhān) 14. 78. 27; (aśaniprākāśaiḥ) 4. 49. 22; the arrows released from Gāṇḍīva were burning and produced fire 5. 56. 27; 5. 141. 42; 8. 52. 32; 4. 45. 23; 8. 46. 42; [also see the following section]; 3. Specific mention of the bow: Arjuna must have used Gāṇḍīva on all occassions (5. 53. 1) starting from its use when Arjuna helped god Fire to burn the Khāṇḍava forest (1. 217-219); the bow is specifically mentioned by name when Arjuna got ready to fight with Kirmīra 3. 12. 40; started off to meat Indra to acquire heavenly weapons 3. 38. 15; lifted it to shoot at the boar (Daitya Mūka) 3. 40. 9; fought with Kirāta (Śaṅkara) 3. 40. 29; in this fight the bow (not named) was swallowed by Śaṅkara 3. 40. 39-40, and then returned to Arjuna 3. 41. 4, 25; used while fighting with the Nivātakavacas 3. 167. 6, 22; 3. 168. 23; 3. 169. 2; with Kālakeyas 3. 170. 40, 50; (at the time of cattle-raid) while fighting with Karṇa 4. 49. 22; with Kṛpa 4. 52. 3, 8; with Droṇa 4. 53. 28, 58; at the start of the epic war Arjuna raised his bow (Gāṇḍīva not named) while asking Kṛṣṇa to station his chariot between the two armies 6. 23. 20; out of dejection Gāṇḍīva slipped down from Arjuna's hand 6. 23. 30; but afterwards he used it successfully in the war 6. 41. 1; he used it to attack Bhīṣma 6. 43. 9; 6. 81. 10; to fight with Sudakṣiṇa (a Kāmboja prince) 7. 67. 61; its use against Jayadratha hinted 3. 252. 17, 18; while forcing his way towards Jayadratha 1. 1. 137; Arjuna, with Gāṇḍīva in hand, stood guard on the ground when, while marching towards Jayadratha, Kṛṣṇa refreshed the horses 7. 74. 41; while aiming the arrow at Jayadratha 7. 89. 17; to cut off Jayadratha's head 7. 121. 3; while fighting with Karṇa 7. 114. 82, 83, 87; 8. 68. 37; Arjuna bent his bow (dhanur vināmya) while boasting about himself 8. 49. 92; he used it to fight with Aśvatthāman 9. 13. 26; to protect Yudhiṣṭhira 9. 17. 6; to foil the attempt of Śakuni's warriors to kill Sahadeva 9. 28. 3, 30; while fighting with Vajradatta (son of Bhagadatta of Prāgjyotiṣa) 14. 74. 4, 5, 14; and when Vajradatta's elephant attacked Arjuna 14. 75. 10; at the end of the epic war when the Pāṇḍavas reached the camp of Duryodhana Kṛṣṇa asked Arjuna to unstring the Gāṇḍīva 9. 61. 9; he used it while fighting with Babhruvāhana 14. 78. 27; with Meghasandhi (son of Jarāsandha) 14. 83. 11, 15; with the Mleccha armies of the Vaṅga, the Puṇḍra, and the Kerala countries 14. 83. 29-30; to fight with the Dasyus 16. 8. 52, 58.


H. Arjuna's vow regarding Gāṇḍīva: It was Arjuna's secret vow (upāṁśuvrata, vrata) to kill a person who asked him to give away his Gāṇḍīva to some one else 8. 49. 9, 61-62; (pratijñā) 8. 49. 11, 63; but the vow was apparently known to Kṛṣṇa (8. 49. 61) and to Yudhiṣṭhira 8. 49. 107-109 (pratijñā); Yudhiṣṭhira, in a fit of anger, asked Arjuna to give away Gāṇḍīva to Kṛṣṇa and act as his charioteer, and hence Yudhiṣṭhira's life was in danger 8. 48. 14; 8. 49. 1.


I. Comparisons: 1 (i) Arjuna with the stretched Gāṇḍīva forming a full circle appeared like the sun with a halo arround it (yathaiva sūryaḥ pariveṣagas tathā) 8. 57. 57; (ii) when Arjuna released arrows using both hands, Gāṇḍīva looked like a swinging wheel of fire (agnicakram ivābaddham) 4. 59. 12; (iii) in the sacrifice to be performed with weapons (śastrayajña), Gānḍīva would serve as a sacrificial ladle (sruc) 5. 139. 30; 2. Standard of comparison: (i) The lustre of Rukmin's bow (Vijaya), obtained from Mahendra, compared with that of Gāṇḍīva 5. 155. 4; (ii) the sound (ghoṣa) of Abhimanyu's bow compared with that of Gāṇḍīva 6. 45. 16


J. Defeat: 1. Occasional: (i) When Arjuna's arrows had no effect on the armour of Duryodhana, Kṛṣṇa asked Arjuna whether his Gāṇḍīva had lost its former force (prāṇāḥ) 7. 78. 7; (ii) Jayadratha on one occasion succeeded in piercing the Gāṇḍīva with three arrows 7. 121. 12; (iii) as long as Karṇa had his armour, ear-rings, and the śakti, Arjuna, even with his Gāṇḍīva, could not defeat Karṇa 7. 155. 17; 7. 155. 13-15; (iv) when Aśvatthaman excelled Arjuna, Krṣṇa in surprise asked him whether he still held the Gāṇḍīva in his hand 8. 40. 124; (v) Gāṇḍīva dropped down from the hand of Arjuna when Dhṛtavarman of the Trigartas hit Arjuna on his hand with a sharp arrow 14. 73. 22-24 (picked up by Arjuna 14. 75. 24); (vi) when the Sindhu kings attacked Arjuna and he swooned, Gāṇḍīva slipped from his hand 14. 76. 21, (which he picked up again 14. 76. 26); (vii) According to Ulūka, Gāṇḍīva of no help to Arjuna at the game of dice 5. 158. 28-29; 2. Final: When Arjuna was taking with him the Vṛṣṇi women to Hāstinapura, he was attacked on way by the Dasyus; at that time Arjuna could string the Gāṇḍīva with great effort (yatnād iva kathaṁcana; kṛcchreṇa) 16. 8. 52-53; his arrows were exhausted so that Arjuna had to strike the Dasyus with the tip of the bow (dhanuṣkoṭyā) 16. 8. 58-60, 63 (dhanuṣaś cāvidheyatvāt); 16. 9. 17-18; this was the defeat of Gāṇḍīva (gāṇḍīvasya parābhavam) 1. 2. 226.


K. Returned to Varuṇa: When the Pāṇḍavas started for the forest, Arjuna would not leave his bow and quivers behind; Agni, who had burnt the Khāṇḍava, asked Arjuna to abandon the bow as it had no further purpose to serve; Agni got it from Varuṇa for Arjuna, hence Arjuna should return it to Varuṇa; at the instance of his brothers, Arjuna dropped the bow and the quivers into the water 17. 1. 32, 36-37, 39-40.


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