The Social and Military Position of the Ruling Caste in Ancient India, as Represented by the Sanskrit Epic c2.s5.455

c2.s5.455

∗ The noise of the string and bow: compare vii. 8. 18; 9. 36; 32. 41; 38. 13 (niṣpeṣaṇa, jyāghoṣa, jyātalanirghoṣa, -svana). In vi. 53. 10 we find, for instance, the scene alluded to above, the army gazing silently at two archers; and here more than one bow is used. So, after one bow is cut in two (cāpaṃ dvidhā ciccheda), we find a second seized (anyat kārmukam ādāya, vi. 45. 29). Compare the like scene, tridhā ciccheda, follow by athā 'nyad dhanur ādāya sāyakāñc caturdaça, vi. 45, 33; or the same in ib. 73. 5; 101. 46; viii. 77. 57 (a new bow and sixteen arrows). The force of the arrow is shown, as said above, by transfixing a body in arms and reappearing, in vii. 156. 184 ff.; 113. 50.