Shloka 38
Adhyāya 16: Saṃśaptaka-vrata and the Diversion of Arjuna (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६)
तान् प्रमथ्य शख्रातै: पाण्डवानां महारथान् | युधिष्ठिररथाभ्याशे तस्थौ मृत्युरिवान्तक:,इसके बाद पाण्डवोंके उन अन्य महारथियोंको भी अपने बाणसमूहोंसे मथित करके विनाशकारी यमराजके समान वे युधिष्ठिरके रथके समीप खड़े हो गये
tān pramathya śastrātais pāṇḍavānāṁ mahārathān | yudhiṣṭhira-rathābhyāśe tasthau mṛtyur ivāntakaḥ ||
Sesudah menghancurkan para mahāratha Pāṇḍava lainnya dengan rentetan anak panah, ia berdiri dekat kereta Yudhiṣṭhira—laksana Antaka, seakan Maut sendiri.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical gravity of war: when violence advances like ‘Death’ itself, even the dharma-centered leader must confront fear, maintain steadiness, and discern right action under extreme pressure—showing how dharma is tested not in comfort but in crisis.
After striking down or overpowering other Pāṇḍava great warriors with dense volleys of weapons, the attacker advances and positions himself near Yudhiṣṭhira’s chariot, described through a powerful simile as Death/Antaka standing close by.