kim - what use; kāvyena - with poetry; kaveḥ - of the poet; tasya - that; kim - what use; kāṇḍena - with the arrow; dhanuḥ-mataḥ - of the bowman; parasya - of another; hṛdaye - in the heart; lagnam - penetrating; na ghūrṇayati - does not cause to roll about; yat - which; śiraḥ - the head.

“ ‘What is the use of a bowman’s arrow or a poet’s poetry if they penetrate the heart but do not cause the head to spin?’