Shloka 10
अर्जुन–उलूपीसंवादः
Arjuna and Ulūpī: Explanation of Śānti and the Maṇipūra Resolution
इत्युक्त: प्राहरत् पूर्व पाण्डवं मगधेश्वर: । किरन् शरसहस्राणि वर्षाणीव सहस्रदूक्,अर्जुनके ऐसा कहनेपर मगधनरेशने पहले उनपर प्रहार किया। जैसे सहसनेत्रधारी इन्द्र जलकी वर्षा करते हैं, उसी प्रकार मेघसन्धि अर्जुनपर सहस्रों बाणोंकी झड़ी लगाने लगा
ity uktaḥ prāharat pūrvaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ magadheśvaraḥ | kiran śara-sahasrāṇi varṣāṇīva sahasradṛk ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Thus addressed, the king of Magadha struck first at the Pāṇḍava. Showering thousands of arrows, he rained them down like the thousand-eyed Indra pouring forth the rains—an image that frames the assault as overwhelming force rather than measured restraint, testing the warrior’s steadiness and dharmic composure under sudden aggression.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic test of a warrior: maintaining steadiness and right conduct when confronted by sudden, overwhelming aggression. The Indra-rain simile underscores the intensity of the trial rather than celebrating violence for its own sake.
After being addressed, the king of Magadha initiates the fight by attacking the Pāṇḍava (Arjuna) first, releasing a dense volley of arrows likened to Indra’s torrential rain.