Shloka 13
भीष्मरक्षण-प्रकरणम् / The Protective Screen around Bhīṣma and the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Clash
निवातकवचान् युद्धे वासवेनापि दुर्जयान् । जितवान् समरे पार्थ: पर्याप्त॑ तन्निदर्शनम्,“जिन्हें परास्त करना इन्द्रके लिये भी कठिन था, उन निवातकवचोंको अर्जुनने युद्धमें परास्त कर दिया था। उनकी अलौकिक शक्तिको समझनेके लिये यह दृष्टान्त पर्याप्त होगा
nivātakavacān yuddhe vāsavenāpi durjayān | jitavān samare pārthaḥ paryāptaṁ tan nidarśanam ||
Sañjaya said: In battle, Arjuna—the son of Pṛthā—defeated the Nivātakavacas, foes whom even Indra (Vāsava) would have found hard to conquer. This example alone is sufficient to indicate the extraordinary might that Arjuna possesses.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sañjaya establishes Arjuna’s credibility and exceptional prowess through a concrete precedent: he overcame enemies considered unconquerable even for Indra. Ethically, the verse highlights that true capability is demonstrated by proven deeds, not mere claims.
Sañjaya is describing Arjuna’s extraordinary martial power to his listener by citing an earlier feat—his victory over the Nivātakavacas—using it as decisive evidence of Arjuna’s strength in the present war context.