Shloka 4
शमीवृक्षस्थायुधप्रकाशनम् / Revelation and Identification of the Weapons on the Śamī Tree
नातिदूरमथो गत्वा मत्स्यपुत्रधनंजयौ । अवेक्षेताममित्रघ्नी कुरूणां बलिनां बलम्,थोड़ी ही दूर जानेपर शत्रुहन्ता विराटपुत्र उत्तर और धनंजयने महाबली कौरवोंकी विशाल सेना देखी
nātidūram atho gatvā matsyaputra-dhanañjayau | avekṣetām amitraghnī kurūṇāṃ balināṃ balam ||
Having gone only a short distance, Uttara—the prince of Matsya, slayer of foes—and Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) beheld the mighty host of the powerful Kurus.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical moment when duty meets reality: resolve is tested not in intention but in the direct sight of overwhelming force. It frames courage and steadiness as dharmic qualities required when confronting powerful opposition.
Uttara, the prince of Matsya, and Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) advance a short distance and then see the vast, powerful army of the Kurus/Kauravas, setting the stage for the ensuing encounter.