Shloka 35
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
वज्रो नामैष स व्यूहो निर्भय: सर्वतोमुख: । चापविद्युद्ध्वजो घोरो गुप्तो गाण्डीवधन्चना
vajro nāmaiṣa sa vyūho nirbhayaḥ sarvatomukhaḥ | cāpavidyuddhvajo ghoro gupto gāṇḍīvadhanvanā ||
સંજય બોલ્યો—આ યુદ્ધવ્યૂહનું નામ ‘વજ્ર’ હતું. તે સર્વથા નિર્ભય અને સર્વદિશામુખી હતો. દર્શને ભયંકર; ધનુષ ઉપર વીજળી સમ ધ્વજ ઝળહળતો હતો. ગાંડીવધારી અર્જુન જ તેની દૃઢ રક્ષા કરતો હતો.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how disciplined strategy (vyūha) and steadfast guardianship by a capable protector (Arjuna) create a force that is ‘fearless’ and resilient—suggesting that in dharmic warfare, courage is strengthened by order, preparedness, and responsible leadership.
Sanjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra about a specific battlefield arrangement named the Vajra-vyūha. He describes its all-directional readiness and terrifying appearance, and notes that it is being effectively guarded by Arjuna, identified by his famed bow, the Gāṇḍīva.