Shloka 35
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
वज्रो नामैष स व्यूहो निर्भय: सर्वतोमुख: । चापविद्युद्ध्वजो घोरो गुप्तो गाण्डीवधन्चना,यह वज्र नामक व्यूह सर्वधा भयरहित तथा सब ओर मुखवाला था। उसके ध्वजके निकट सुवर्णभूषित धनुष विद्युतके समान प्रकाशित होता था। गाण्डीवधारी अर्जुनके द्वारा ही वह भयंकर व्यूह सुरक्षित था
vajro nāmaiṣa sa vyūho nirbhayaḥ sarvatomukhaḥ | cāpavidyuddhvajo ghoro gupto gāṇḍīvadhanvanā ||
Sañjaya dijo: «Esta formación de batalla se llamaba “Vajra” (Rayo). No conocía el temor y miraba en todas direcciones. Terrible a la vista, alzaba un estandarte como relámpago sobre un arco; y estaba firmemente resguardada por Arjuna, el portador del Gāṇḍīva».
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how disciplined strategy (vyūha) and steadfast guardianship by a capable protector (Arjuna) create a force that is ‘fearless’ and resilient—suggesting that in dharmic warfare, courage is strengthened by order, preparedness, and responsible leadership.
Sanjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra about a specific battlefield arrangement named the Vajra-vyūha. He describes its all-directional readiness and terrifying appearance, and notes that it is being effectively guarded by Arjuna, identified by his famed bow, the Gāṇḍīva.