Shloka 3
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 54 — Missile-Exchange and Tactical Redirection
Arjuna, Aśvatthāman, Karṇa
तेषामनीकानि बहूनि गाढं व्यूढानि दृष्टवा बहुलध्वजानि । मत्स्यस्य पुत्र द्विषतां निहन्ता वैराटिमामन्त्रय ततो5भ्युवाच
teṣām anīkāni bahūni gāḍhaṃ vyūḍhāni dṛṣṭvā bahula-dhvajāni | matsyasya putra-dviṣatāṃ nihantā vairāṭim āmantrya tato 'bhyuvāca ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Voyant les nombreuses formations ennemies—serrées, solidement ordonnées, et hérissées d’innombrables bannières—Arjuna, le pourfendeur des adversaires, s’adressa au fils du roi de Matsya (Uttara) et parla. Ainsi se met en place son exhortation sur le courage et la conduite juste selon le dharma, à l’approche du combat.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a moment where outward signs of power—dense formations and many banners—test inner steadiness. It prepares for Arjuna’s guidance to Uttara: true leadership in dharma is not overwhelmed by spectacle, but responds with clarity, courage, and right action.
As the opposing forces appear in strong, well-arranged battle order, Arjuna observes their readiness and then turns to address Uttara, the prince of Virāṭa (of the Matsya realm), initiating the dialogue that follows in this episode.