Shloka 263
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
न विव्यथे महाबाहुर्भिद्यमान इवाचल: । इन समस्त तीखे बाणोंद्वारा चारों ओरसे विद्ध होनेपर भी महाधनुर्धर महाबाहु अर्जुन तनिक भी व्यथित नहीं हुए। ऐसा जान पड़ता था, मानो किसी पर्वतको बाणोंसे बींध दिया हो
na vivyathe mahābāhur bhidyamāna ivācalaḥ |
(iti sañjaya uvāca) |
Dijo Sañjaya: Aunque una lluvia de flechas afiladas lo atravesaba por todos lados, Arjuna, de poderosos brazos, no vaciló en lo más mínimo. Permaneció inconmovible, como una montaña traspasada por saetas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness under adversity: a warrior grounded in discipline does not lose composure even when physically threatened. Ethically, it points to self-mastery and firmness in one’s duty (kṣatriya-dharma) without panic or collapse.
In the battle narrative, Arjuna is being struck from all sides by many sharp arrows, yet he remains unshaken. Sanjaya conveys this to Dhritarashtra using the simile of an immovable mountain being pierced.