Shloka 97
अर्जुनस्य शीघ्रप्रयाणं भीम-शकुनियुद्धं च
Arjuna’s Rapid Advance and the Bhīma–Śakuni Encounter
ततो रथसहस्रेण द्विरदानां त्रिभि: शतै:,शरवर्षर्महाराज सर्वतः पाण्डुनन्दनम् । महाराज! तब एक हजार रथ, तीन सौ हाथी, चौदह हजार घोड़े और लक्ष्य वेधनेमें निपुण, सर्वत्र विख्यात एवं शौर्यसम्पन्न दो लाख पैदल सैनिक साथ लेकर संशप्तक महारथी कुन्तीकुमार पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनको अपने बाणोंकी वर्षासे आच्छादित करते हुए उनपर चढ़ आये
tato rathasahasreṇa dviradānāṃ tribhiḥ śataiḥ śaravarṣair mahārāja sarvataḥ pāṇḍunandanam |
Dijo Sañjaya: Entonces, oh Rey, con mil carros y trescientos elefantes, lo acosaron por todos lados y cubrieron a Arjuna, hijo de Pāṇḍu, con una lluvia de flechas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness amid overwhelming opposition: in dharmic warfare, a warrior’s composure and skill are tested not only by single champions but by coordinated mass assault, demanding endurance, clarity, and disciplined response.
Sañjaya reports that large forces—symbolized by a thousand chariots and three hundred elephants—close in and attack Arjuna from all directions, covering him with a dense volley of arrows.