Shloka 18
गान्धारी-प्रशमनम् — Pacification of Gāndhārī and Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel at Hāstinapura
वायुदेव उवाच अस्त्रैरबहुविधैर्दग्ध: पूर्वमेवायमर्जुन । मदधिषछितत्वात् समरे न विशीर्ण: परंतप
vāyudeva uvāca | astrair bahuvidhair dagdhaḥ pūrvam evāyam arjuna | madadhiṣṭhitvāt samare na viśīrṇaḥ parantapa ||
Vāyudeva sprach: „O Arjuna, Bezwinger der Feinde! Dieser Wagen war schon zuvor von vielerlei Geschossen verbrannt worden. Doch weil ich auf ihm saß, stürzte er auf dem Schlachtfeld nicht zu Asche zusammen.“
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the idea that in the chaos of war, outcomes are not determined by human effort alone; divine presence or grace can uphold what would otherwise collapse, underscoring humility and reliance on higher order beyond mere martial power.
Vāyudeva addresses Arjuna, explaining that Arjuna’s chariot had already been effectively destroyed by numerous weapons, but it remained intact during the battle because Vāyudeva was seated upon it, preventing it from disintegrating until that protection ceased.