Shloka 124
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
शक्यो विजेतुं कौन्तेयो गोप्ता यस्य जनार्दन: । ब्रह्मण्य: सत्यवाग दान्त: सर्वभूतानुकम्पक:,“आज कुन्तीके पुत्र हमारे पास नहीं हैं, इसीलिये हमलोगोंका यह संहार किया गया है। कुन्तीपुत्र अर्जुनको तो असुर, गन्धर्व, यक्ष तथा राक्षस कोई भी नहीं जीत सकते; क्योंकि साक्षात् श्रीकृष्ण उनके रक्षक हैं। वे ब्राह्मणभक्त, सत्यवादी, जितेन्द्रिय तथा सम्पूर्ण भूतोंपर दया करनेवाले हैं
śakyo vijetuṁ kaunteyo goptā yasya janārdanaḥ | brahmaṇyaḥ satyavāg dāntaḥ sarvabhūtānukampakaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “The son of Kuntī (Arjuna) is not one who can be conquered, for Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa) Himself is his protector. He is devoted to the brāhmaṇas, truthful in speech, self-controlled, and compassionate toward all beings.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
True strength is grounded in dharma: divine protection aligns with virtues such as reverence for sacred learning and the righteous (brahmaṇya), truthfulness, self-restraint, and compassion. The verse links invincibility not merely to martial skill but to ethical character and rightful support.
In the aftermath of the night-raid context of the Sauptika Parva, Sañjaya explains why the Pāṇḍavas—especially Arjuna—are not easily overcome: Kṛṣṇa stands as Arjuna’s guardian, and Arjuna’s conduct is portrayed as exemplary, reinforcing why opponents cannot simply defeat him.