Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 16
Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
दैवारिपाच्च बीभत्सुस्तस्मिन् दौर्योधने वने । भयमुत्पादयामास बलवानरिमर्दन:
vaiśampāyana uvāca | daivāripāc ca bībhatsus tasmin dauryodhane vane | bhayam utpādayāmāsa balavān arimardanaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: By a turn of fate, the mighty Arjuna—terrible to behold and a crusher of foes—when Duryodhana was there in the forest, stirred up fear in him and his host. With the blazing power of his weapons, the thunder of his bowstring, the dreadful uproar of the non-human beings dwelling in his banner, the awe-inspiring might of the roaring monkey-emblem, and the booming call of his conch, he shattered the enemy’s pride and spread panic through Duryodhana’s army.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how daiva (fate) and personal prowess together shape outcomes: righteous strength, disciplined mastery of arms, and commanding symbols can break an aggressor’s arrogance without needless cruelty—showing that fear and pride are moral-psychological battlegrounds in dharmic conflict.
In the forest encounter, Arjuna (Bībhatsu) reveals overwhelming martial presence—through the brilliance of his weapons, the bow’s thunder, the terrifying sounds associated with his banner and monkey emblem, and the conch’s roar—thereby spreading fear through Duryodhana and his forces.
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