Shloka 152
यदाश्रौषं देवराजं प्रविष्टें शर्रैं्दिव्यैर्वारितं चार्जुनेन अग्निं तथा तर्पितं खाण्डवे च तदा नाशंसे विजयाय संजय,जब मैंने सुना कि खाण्डवदाहके समय देवराज इन्द्र तो वर्षा करके आग बुझाना चाहते थे और अर्जुनने उसे अपने दिव्य बाणोंसे रोक दिया तथा अग्निदेवको तृप्त किया, संजय! तभी मैंने समझ लिया कि अब मेरी विजय नहीं हो सकती
yadāśrauṣaṃ devarājaṃ praviṣṭaṃ śaraiḥ divyaiḥ vāritaṃ cārjunena | agniṃ tathā tarpitaṃ khāṇḍave ca tadā nāśaṃse vijayāya sañjaya ||
When I heard that the king of the gods, Indra, had intervened, yet was held back by Arjuna with divine arrows, and that Agni was fully satisfied in the Khāṇḍava forest, then, Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory. For where such prowess can restrain even a god’s intent and uphold a vowed undertaking, there the balance of fate and righteousness turns away from my side.
Educational Q&A
The verse frames extraordinary capability aligned with a fulfilled vow (Agni being satisfied) as an ethical and fateful indicator: when a cause is supported by steadfast resolve and divine-grade competence, even opposing divine forces are checked, and one should recognize the moral and strategic tide turning against unjust ambition.
The speaker recalls hearing about the Khāṇḍava forest conflagration: Indra tried to stop the fire by sending rain, but Arjuna blocked that effort with celestial arrows, enabling Agni to complete his purpose. From this report, the speaker concludes that victory will not be attainable against such opponents.