Shloka 163
अर्जुनस्योत्तरदिग्विजयः
Arjuna’s Northern Conquests and Tribute Collection
शक्रविष्णू हि संग्रामे चेरतुस्तारकामये । भीम और अर्जुन--से दो योद्धा उस रथपर बैठे थे
śakra-viṣṇū hi saṅgrāme ceratus tārakāmaye |
Vaiśampāyana said: In that star-bright battle, the pair upon the chariot moved about as though Śakra (Indra) and Viṣṇu rode together. Bhīma and Arjuna—two foremost warriors—sat upon that car, while Śrī Kṛṣṇa, as charioteer, held its course with steady mastery. Even for the greatest archers it was hard to overcome; and by those two rathins the splendid chariot shone, as if Indra and Viṣṇu, seated side by side, ranged through a war of stars.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a divine simile to highlight how extraordinary prowess and well-directed action can elevate human effort to a near-divine standard; it implicitly values disciplined leadership and coordinated strength as forces that make victory possible even against formidable opposition.
Vaiśampāyana describes a chariot moving through a brilliant, star-like battle, saying it appeared as if Indra and Viṣṇu were together traversing the battlefield—an image meant to convey overwhelming splendor and power.