Shloka 12
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
ततः पर्जन्यवत् सर्वे शरवृष्टीरवासृजन् । तै: कीर्ण: शुशुभे पार्थो रविरमेघान्तरे यथा,वे सब योद्धा मेघके समान अर्जुनपर बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगे। उन बाणोंसे आच्छादित होकर कुन्ती-नन्दन अर्जुन बादलोंमें छिपे हुए सूर्यकी भाँति शोभा पा रहे थे
tataḥ parjanyavat sarve śaravṛṣṭīr avāsṛjan | taiḥ kīrṇaḥ śuśubhe pārtho ravir ameghāntare yathā ||
Then, like rain-bearing clouds, all the warriors let loose a downpour of arrows. Covered and hemmed in by those shafts, Pārtha Arjuna—Kuntī’s son—shone forth like the sun seen within the folds of clouds, his radiance undiminished amid the storm of battle.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness and inner brilliance under pressure: even when surrounded by danger (a rain of arrows), a dharmic hero’s resolve and splendor are not extinguished—like the sun that remains luminous though veiled by clouds.
In the midst of combat, the opposing warriors unleash a heavy volley of arrows at Arjuna. Though covered by the barrage, Arjuna remains conspicuous and radiant, compared to the sun partially hidden within clouds.