Shloka 116
Adhyāya 108 — Nimitta-darśana and Drona’s counsel amid Arjuna’s advance (निमित्तदर्शनं द्रोणोपदेशश्च)
तैः प्रविष्टेर्महावेगैर्गरुत्मद्धिरिवाहवे । (शुशुभे स महातेजा: शकुनि: सुबलात्मज: । तैरश्वैः सुमहावेगैर्मरुद्धिरिव वासव: ।।
sañjaya uvāca | taiḥ praviṣṭair mahāvegair garutmaddhir ivāhave | śuśubhe sa mahātejāḥ śakuniḥ subalātmajaḥ | tair aśvaiḥ sumahāvegair maruddhir iva vāsavaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: When those exceedingly swift horses had entered the battlefield, like Garuḍa rushing into combat, the radiant Śakuni, son of Subala, shone forth. With those very fast steeds around him, he appeared like Indra (Vāsava) attended by the Maruts.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses divine comparisons (Garuḍa, Indra with the Maruts) to depict martial brilliance, while the broader Mahābhārata context reminds the reader that splendor and strength are ethically neutral: impressive appearance can serve either dharma or adharma, so judgment must rest on intention and conduct, not mere power.
Sanjaya describes Śakuni arriving/advancing in the battle with extremely swift horses. Their speed and the visual effect make Śakuni appear resplendent, likened first to Garuḍa’s rush in combat and then to Indra accompanied by the Maruts.