( The N is pronounced like 'n' in 'on'. The 'd' in this name is pronounced like 'd' in 'den'.)
A bow was the most honoured and the first rated weapon of ancient times. A skilled archer was respected among the warrior class. In addition, if he happened to be a chariot-mounted, his class was considered higher.
Indian mythology described names of certain bows used by the gods and by some prominent men as well.
One of such famous bows was the Gaandeevam. It was unbreakable. And it was highly difficult to snap its string . That bow was used by many gods earlier and then came onto the earth. It passed through the hands of the gods Brahma, Chandra (moon), and Varuna before it reached the only human to hold it, Arjuna. God Agni gave it to him alongwith two ever-full quivers too , when his help was sought to burn down the forest Khaandavaprastham to enable him to rebuff Indra's efforts to prevent Agni. That bow brought Arjuna the epithet "Gaandeevi"(=he who holds gaandeevam).
Arjuna achieved great victories with the help of the
Gaandeevam and the two unemptying quivers . His fame owes a big share of it to that bow. He held it for nearly 65 years with him from when he was about 35 years old. At the end, when the Paandavas were on their renunciation walk, Agni ordered Arjuna to throw it into the sea i.e. to reach its previous holder, Varuna , the sea god.
"After praying to Naaraayana, Nara, Sarasvathi and Vyaasa, then one should read the Jayam."
DEDICATED TO MY DEAR NIECE VYSHNAVI KRISHNA