Shloka 26
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
ततः शरैर्दीप्तमुखैर्यन्त्रितैरनुमन्त्रितै: । प्रत्यविध्यमहं तं॑ तु वजैरिव शिलोच्चयम्
tataḥ śarair dīptamukhair yantritair anumantritaiḥ | pratyavidhyam ahaṃ taṃ tu vajrair iva śilocchayam ||
तदनन्तर मैंने प्रज्वलित मुख वाले, खूब खींचकर छोड़े गए और मन्त्र-सम्पन्न बाणों से उसे बार-बार बेधा—मानो वज्रों से शिलापर्वत पर प्रहार किया जा रहा हो।
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.