Shloka 26
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
ततः शरैर्दीप्तमुखैर्यन्त्रितैरनुमन्त्रितै: । प्रत्यविध्यमहं तं॑ तु वजैरिव शिलोच्चयम्
tataḥ śarair dīptamukhair yantritair anumantritaiḥ | pratyavidhyam ahaṃ taṃ tu vajrair iva śilocchayam ||
তারপর আমি দীপ্ত অগ্রভাগযুক্ত, পূর্ণ টানে ছোড়া ও মন্ত্রবলে সংবলিত বাণে তাকে বারবার বিদ্ধ করলাম—যেন বজ্রাঘাতে শিলাপর্বত বিদীর্ণ হচ্ছে।
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power in battle is portrayed as disciplined and consecrated: Arjuna’s effectiveness comes from controlled technique (yantrita—fully drawn, regulated) and purposeful empowerment (anumantrita—mantra-charged), not from uncontrolled rage. The simile of thunderbolts striking rock emphasizes steadfast resolve and repeated, measured action.
Arjuna describes a combat moment: after a prior exchange, he releases blazing, well-drawn, mantra-empowered arrows and repeatedly wounds his opponent, comparing the impact to thunderbolts battering a rocky mountain.