Shloka 40
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
व्यायामं मुष्टिभि: कृत्वा तलैरपि समागतै: । अपाययंश्व तद् भूत॑ निश्रचेष्टमगमं महीम्
vyāyāmaṁ muṣṭibhiḥ kṛtvā talair api samāgataiḥ | apāyayaṁś ca tad bhūtaṁ niśceṣṭam agamaṁ mahīm ||
Arjuna said: “I grappled with that being, striking with my fists and with my open palms as we closed upon each other; yet I could not bring it under my control. Overpowered, I became motionless and fell to the earth. Then, O King, that wondrous being laughed and, even as I watched, vanished on the spot together with the women.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a great warrior’s strength has limits; the episode underscores humility and discernment—physical force alone cannot master every situation, especially when confronting the uncanny or divinely protected.
Arjuna describes a close-quarters struggle in which he strikes with fists and palms but fails to subdue a supernatural being; he is rendered helpless and falls, after which the being laughs and vanishes along with the women present.