Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 36
Adhyāya 61: Saṃmohana-astra and the Kuru Withdrawal (संमोहनास्त्रं तथा कुरुनिवृत्तिः)
त॑ं चित्रमाल्याभरणा: कृतविद्या मनस्विन: । आगच्छन् भीमधन्वानं चत्वारश्न महाबला:
taṁ citramālyābharaṇāḥ kṛtavidyā manasvinaḥ | āgacchan bhīmadhanvānaṁ catvāraś ca mahābalāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Mit prächtigen Kränzen und Schmuck geziert, in der Waffenkunst bewandert und von festem Sinn, rückten vier gewaltige Krieger gegen Arjuna vor, den Träger des furchtbaren Bogens. Als sie ihn erreichten, umringten sie Bībhatsu (Arjuna) von allen Seiten—Duḥśāsana, Vikarṇa, Duḥsaha und Viviṁśati.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical contrast in the Mahābhārata: reliance on collective force and intimidation versus the ideal of disciplined, principled heroism. Arjuna is called Bībhatsu—one who rejects what is base—suggesting that true kṣatriya excellence is not mere aggression but restraint, skill, and adherence to righteous conduct even amid danger.
Four powerful Kaurava warriors—Duhśāsana, Vikarṇa, Duhsaha, and Vivimśati—advance toward Arjuna and surround him from all sides. The scene intensifies the confrontation by showing Arjuna being pressed by multiple opponents at once.