Vaitaṃhika Arrows
Vaitaṃhika arrows were a special kind of arrow used at close range in the Kurukshetra War. Only a small group of the very greatest warriors had them. They are mentioned in Chapter 191 of the Droṇa Parva of the Mahābhārata, during Droṇācārya’s final attack. His mastery of these arrows, which could be used at very short range with great destructive force, set him apart from almost every other warrior.
The Droṇa Parva names only seven warriors who had the knowledge and skill to use Vaitaṃhika arrows: Droṇa, Kṛpācārya, Arjuna, Karṇa, Pradyumna, Sātyaki and Abhimanyu.
Nature
Vaitaṃhika arrows were special arrows for close range. They were shot with precision at very short distances, where the normal curved flight of an arrow would not work. Using them needed both outstanding skill with the bow and a deep understanding of timing, distance and the way close fighting from a chariot works. They were an advanced and rare speciality within dhanurveda, the science of archery and warfare.
The Seven Masters
The Droṇa Parva clearly names only seven warriors of that age who had full command of Vaitaṃhika arrows:
- Droṇācārya, the greatest ācārya (teacher) of his age
- Kṛpācārya, the weapons teacher of the Kuru princes before Droṇa came
- Arjuna, the greatest archer of the age and Droṇa’s foremost student
- Karṇa, who was trained by Paraśurāma in all advanced knowledge of weapons
- Pradyumna, son of Kṛshṇa and one of the great warriors of the Yādava clan
- Sātyaki, the great Yādava warrior and Arjuna’s student
- Abhimanyu, Arjuna’s son, who had shown extraordinary skill before his death on the thirteenth day
It is important that Abhimanyu is named in this group. He is counted among the greatest masters even after his death, which confirms how highly the Mahābhārata regards his remarkable ability.
Sources
- Mahābhārata, Droṇa Parva, Chapter 191