Shloka 21
द्रोणानीक-व्यतिक्रमः — Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna Break Through Droṇa’s Array
महेश्वरो5पि पार्थेन श्रूयते योधित: पुरा । पदातिना महावीर्यों गिरौ हिमवति प्रभु:,“मैंने सुना है कि पूर्वकालमें हिमालयपर्वतपर पैदल अर्जुनने महापराक्रमी भगवान् महेश्वरके साथ भी युद्ध किया था
sañjaya uvāca | maheśvaro 'pi pārthena śrūyate yodhitaḥ purā | padātinā mahāvīryo girau himavati prabhuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “It is heard that in former times even Maheśvara—the mighty Lord—was fought by Pārtha (Arjuna) on foot upon the Himavat mountain.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse invokes a traditional report that Arjuna once confronted even Śiva, highlighting extraordinary human courage while implicitly reminding that true greatness includes reverence for the divine and recognition that sheer martial strength has limits.
Sañjaya, describing the war context, cites an earlier famed episode: Arjuna, on foot in the Himalayas, is said to have fought Maheśvara. The reference serves to underscore Arjuna’s renowned prowess and the gravity of the present conflict.