Shloka 10
अनीकव्यूहप्रतिव्यूहः
Counter-deployment of Divisions and the Opening Tumult
तमास्थित: केशवसंगृहीतं कपिध्वजो गाण्डिवबाणपाणि: । धनुर्धरो यस्य सम: पथिव्यां न विद्यते नो भविता कदाचित्,गाण्डीव धनुष और बाण हाथमें लिये हुए कपिध्वज अर्जुन उस रथपर आखरूढ़ थे। भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने उसकी बागडोर सँभाल रखी थी। अर्जुनके समान धनुर्धर इस भूतलपर न तो कोई है और न होगा ही
tam āsthitaḥ keśava-saṅgṛhītaṁ kapidhvajo gāṇḍiva-bāṇa-pāṇiḥ | dhanur-dharo yasya samaḥ pṛthivyāṁ na vidyate no bhavitā kadācit ||
Sañjaya said: Upon that chariot, whose reins were held by Keśava (Kṛṣṇa), stood Arjuna—bearing the monkey-banner, with the Gāṇḍīva bow and arrows in hand. On this earth there is no archer equal to him, nor will there ever be.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse suggests that extraordinary power becomes rightly directed when governed by wise, dharmic guidance: Arjuna’s unmatched skill is shown under Kṛṣṇa’s control of the chariot, implying that strength should be steered by higher counsel and moral clarity.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna positioned on the chariot with the monkey-banner, holding the Gāṇḍīva and arrows, while Kṛṣṇa holds the reins. He emphasizes Arjuna’s unsurpassed status as an archer, setting the stage for the impending battle.