Shloka 116
Adhyāya 108 — Nimitta-darśana and Drona’s counsel amid Arjuna’s advance (निमित्तदर्शनं द्रोणोपदेशश्च)
तैः प्रविष्टेर्महावेगैर्गरुत्मद्धिरिवाहवे । (शुशुभे स महातेजा: शकुनि: सुबलात्मज: । तैरश्वैः सुमहावेगैर्मरुद्धिरिव वासव: ।।) गरुड़के समान अत्यन्त वेगशाली वे अश्व रणभूमिमें यथास्थान पहुँच गये। जैसे मरुदगणोंसे महातेजस्वी इन्द्रकी शोभा होती है, उसी प्रकार उन अत्यन्त वेगशाली अअभ्रोंके द्वारा अत्यन्त तेजस्वी सुबलपुत्र शकुनि सुशोभित होने लगा
sañjaya uvāca | taiḥ praviṣṭair mahāvegair garutmaddhir ivāhave | śuśubhe sa mahātejāḥ śakuniḥ subalātmajaḥ | tair aśvaiḥ sumahāvegair maruddhir iva vāsavaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Ketika kuda-kuda yang sangat cepat itu memasuki medan laga, bagaikan Garuḍa menerjang pertempuran, Śakuni putra Subala yang bercahaya tampak bersinar. Dengan kuda-kuda yang amat kencang itu, ia laksana Vāsava (Indra) yang dikelilingi para Marut.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses divine comparisons (Garuḍa, Indra with the Maruts) to depict martial brilliance, while the broader Mahābhārata context reminds the reader that splendor and strength are ethically neutral: impressive appearance can serve either dharma or adharma, so judgment must rest on intention and conduct, not mere power.
Sanjaya describes Śakuni arriving/advancing in the battle with extremely swift horses. Their speed and the visual effect make Śakuni appear resplendent, likened first to Garuḍa’s rush in combat and then to Indra accompanied by the Maruts.