Shloka 16
पाण्डवपरिचयः—विराटसभायां प्रकाशनम्
Identification of the Pāṇḍavas in Virāṭa’s Court
ततो<न्वशासच्चतुर: सदश्वान् पुत्रो विराटस्य हिरण्यकक्षान् । ते तद् व्यतीयुर्ध्वजिनामनीक॑ श्वेता वहन्तोडर्जुनमाजिमध्यात्,तत्पश्चात् विराटकुमारने सोनेके साज-सामानसे सुशोभित उन चारों सुन्दर घोड़ोंको हाँक दिया। वे श्वेत घोड़े अर्जुनको रथमें लिये हुए रणभूमिके मध्यभागसे निकले और रथारोहियोंकी ध्वजायुक्त सेनाका घेरा पार करके बाहर पहुँच गये
tato 'nvāśāsac caturaḥ sadaśvān putro virāṭasya hiraṇyakakṣān | te tad vyatīyur dhvajinām anīkaṃ śvetā vahanto 'rjunam ājimadhyāt ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then the son of Virāṭa urged on the four excellent horses, fitted with golden trappings. Those white steeds, bearing Arjuna in the chariot, drove out from the very midst of the battlefield and passed through the bannered ranks of the chariot-warriors, breaking free of their encircling formation. The scene underscores disciplined courage and skilled action under pressure—strength guided by purpose rather than panic.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Competence and composure in crisis: even amid fear and chaos, disciplined action (properly directing resources—here, the horses and chariot) enables one to fulfill duty effectively. Valor is shown not only by fighting, but by steady execution of the right course.
Prince Uttara, serving as charioteer, drives the four white, gold-trapped horses so that Arjuna’s chariot moves out from the center of the battlefield and passes through the bannered enemy formations, escaping their encirclement.