Adhyāya 16: Saṃśaptaka-vrata and the Diversion of Arjuna (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६)
नादृश्यत तदा राजंस्तत्र किंचन संयुगे । बाणान्धकारे महति कृते गाण्डीवधन्चना,राजन! उस रफक्षेत्रमें गाण्डीवधारी अर्जुनने बाणोंके द्वारा महान् अन्धकार फैला दिया था। उसमें कुछ भी दिखायी नहीं देता था
na adṛśyata tadā rājan tatra kiñcana saṁyuge | bāṇāndhakāre mahati kṛte gāṇḍīvadhanvanā ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai Raja, saat itu di medan laga tak tampak apa pun di sana, sebab pemegang Gāṇḍīva telah menimbulkan kegelapan besar dengan hujan anak panahnya.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how war can eclipse clarity—literally and morally—by overwhelming the senses and making right judgment difficult. It also underscores the extraordinary power of a warrior, reminding the listener that strength in battle can reshape the very conditions of perception.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna, wielding the Gāṇḍīva, released such a dense volley of arrows that it resembled a great darkness, and nothing on the battlefield could be seen.