Shloka 16
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 55 — Sañjaya’s Report on Pāṇḍava Readiness and Arjuna’s Dhvaja
माद्रीपुत्रं नकुलं त्वाजमीढ महेन्द्रदत्ता हरयो वाजिमुख्या: । समा वायोर्बलवन्तस्तरस्विनो वहन्ति वीर वृत्रशत्रुं यथेन्द्रम्
sañjaya uvāca |
mādrīputraṃ nakulaṃ tv ājamīḍa mahendradattā harayo vājimukhyāḥ |
samā vāyor balavantas tarasvino vahanti vīra vṛtraśatruṃ yathendram, ajamīḍakulanandana ||
Sañjaya said: O descendant of Ajamīḍa, the foremost steeds—bay horses bestowed by great Indra—now bear the chariot of Nakula, the heroic son of Mādrī. Equal to the wind in strength and swiftness, they carry him just as they once carried Indra himself, the slayer of Vṛtra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse conveys that righteous martial preparedness is marked by auspicious signs: Nakula’s chariot is drawn by horses associated with Indra, suggesting that disciplined valor aligned with dharma attracts divine-like support and legitimacy.
Sañjaya describes Nakula’s chariot team: exceptionally swift and strong bay horses, said to be gifts of Indra, now carry Nakula just as they once carried Indra, thereby praising Nakula’s stature and readiness in the unfolding conflict.