Shloka 12
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
ततः पर्जन्यवत् सर्वे शरवृष्टीरवासृजन् । तै: कीर्ण: शुशुभे पार्थो रविरमेघान्तरे यथा
tataḥ parjanyavat sarve śaravṛṣṭīr avāsṛjan | taiḥ kīrṇaḥ śuśubhe pārtho ravir ameghāntare yathā ||
Alors, tels des nuages porteurs de pluie, tous les guerriers déchaînèrent une averse de flèches. Couvert et cerné par ces traits, Pārtha Arjuna, fils de Kuntī, rayonnait comme le soleil aperçu au sein des nuées, sa splendeur demeurant intacte au milieu de la tempête du combat.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness and inner brilliance under pressure: even when surrounded by danger (a rain of arrows), a dharmic hero’s resolve and splendor are not extinguished—like the sun that remains luminous though veiled by clouds.
In the midst of combat, the opposing warriors unleash a heavy volley of arrows at Arjuna. Though covered by the barrage, Arjuna remains conspicuous and radiant, compared to the sun partially hidden within clouds.