Shloka 26
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
ततः शरैर्दीप्तमुखैर्यन्त्रितैरनुमन्त्रितै: । प्रत्यविध्यमहं तं॑ तु वजैरिव शिलोच्चयम्,तदनन्तर जैसे वज्रसे पर्वतपर आघात किया जाय, उसी प्रकार प्रज्वलित मुखवाले अभिमन्त्रित और खूब खींचकर छोड़े हुए बाणोंद्वारा मैंने उसे बार-बार घायल किया
tataḥ śarair dīptamukhair yantritair anumantritaiḥ | pratyavidhyam ahaṃ taṃ tu vajrair iva śilocchayam ||
Dijo Arjuna: «Luego, con flechas de puntas llameantes—tensadas al máximo y fortalecidas por mantra—lo herí una y otra vez, como si un peñasco montañoso fuera golpeado por rayos».
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power in battle is portrayed as disciplined and consecrated: Arjuna’s effectiveness comes from controlled technique (yantrita—fully drawn, regulated) and purposeful empowerment (anumantrita—mantra-charged), not from uncontrolled rage. The simile of thunderbolts striking rock emphasizes steadfast resolve and repeated, measured action.
Arjuna describes a combat moment: after a prior exchange, he releases blazing, well-drawn, mantra-empowered arrows and repeatedly wounds his opponent, comparing the impact to thunderbolts battering a rocky mountain.