Shloka 6
Arjuna’s Concentrated Archery and the Rout of the Kaurava Mahārathas
Gāṇḍīva-Nirghoṣa Episode
कुरून् सम्मोहयामास मत्स्यो यानेन तत्त्ववित्
kurūn sammohayāmāsa matsyo yānena tattvavit | aśvasañcālanakā-rahasya-jñānena matsyanareśasya putro rathasya cālayā kurūn bhrāntim ānayat—te na jānīyuḥ rathaḥ kasya mahārathasya samīpaṃ gantum icchati | virāṭanandano mahābalī uttaro na kutracid bhayam apaśyat | sa kṛpācāryasya ratha-samīpaṃ gatvā rathena tasya pradakṣiṇāṃ cakāra | tataḥ purataḥ gatvā rathaṃ sthāpayitvā tiṣṭhāmāsa ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Sang pangeran Matsya, yang memahami maksud sejati dan mahir dalam rahasia mengendalikan kereta, mengemudikan keretanya dengan siasat demikian rupa hingga para Kuru terperdaya; mereka tak dapat menebak kepada maharathi mana kereta itu hendak menuju. Uttara, putra Virāṭa yang perkasa, tidak gentar dari arah mana pun. Ia mendekati kereta Kṛpa, mengitarinya dalam pradakṣiṇa dari sisi kanan dengan kereta, lalu berhenti tegak tepat di hadapannya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how skill and discernment can shape outcomes in conflict: tactical deception may be used to protect one’s aim, while courage is shown by approaching a formidable opponent without panic. It also reflects a code of conduct where even in battle, gestures like pradakṣiṇā can signal formal challenge and respect within kṣatriya norms.
The Matsya prince (Uttara) drives the chariot in a way that confuses the Kuru warriors about his intended target. He then moves close to Kṛpācārya’s chariot, circles it, and stops directly in front—positioning himself for a direct engagement.