Shloka 956
अर्जुनस्य शीघ्रप्रयाणं भीम-शकुनियुद्धं च
Arjuna’s Rapid Advance and the Bhīma–Śakuni Encounter
व्यचरत् पृतनामध्ये पाशहस्त इवान्तकः । अर्जुन रथसेना और घुड़सवारोंके समूहमें घुसकर पाशधारी यमराजके समान कौरव- सेनाके मध्यभागमें विचरने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | vyacarat pṛtanāmadhye pāśahasta ivāntakaḥ |
Sañjaya said: Arjuna moved about in the midst of the battle-host like Antaka (Death) himself bearing a noose—plunging into the enemy’s chariot-forces and cavalry and ranging through the heart of the Kaurava army.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the metaphor of Death with a noose to convey inevitability and moral consequence in war: when adharma ripens and peaceful options fail, the righteous warrior’s action can appear as inexorable justice rather than mere violence.
Sañjaya describes a warrior (contextually Arjuna in the battle) moving through the midst of the opposing host, penetrating the enemy formations; his presence is compared to Antaka (Death) holding a noose, emphasizing the terror and decisiveness of his advance.