Shloka 16
Kuru-Sainika-Āśvāsana and Vijayaghoṣaṇa
Reassuring the Kuru Soldiers; Proclaiming Victory
वित्रासयित्वा तत् सैन्यं द्रावयित्वा महारथान् । अर्जुनो जयतां श्रेष्ठ: पर्यवर्तत भारत
vitrāsayitvā tat sainyaṁ drāvayitvā mahārathān | arjuno jayatāṁ śreṣṭhaḥ paryavartata bhārata bhārata ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: O Bhārata, nachdem Arjuna jenes Heer in Schrecken versetzt und die großen Wagenkämpfer in die Flucht geschlagen hatte, bewegte er sich—der Beste unter den Siegern—nach allen Seiten über das Schlachtfeld.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of resolute courage and skilled action: when fearlessness and mastery are present, even a powerful force can be scattered. Ethically, it points to disciplined strength used decisively in a just martial context rather than cruelty for its own sake.
Arjuna has overwhelmed the opposing host: he frightens the army, drives away the elite mahārathas, and then ranges across the battlefield, indicating complete tactical dominance and the enemy’s disarray.