Shloka 56
द्रोणेन केकय-चेदि-वीरवधः
Droṇa’s engagements with the Kekayas and Cedis
स पार्थ: पार्थिवान् सर्वान् भूमिस्थो5पि रथस्थितान् । एको निवारयामास लोभ: सर्वगुणानिव,अर्जुनने अकेले ही पृथ्वीपर खड़े रहकर भी रथपर बैठे हुए समस्त पृथ्वीपतियोंको उसी प्रकार रोक दिया, जैसे लोभ सम्पूर्ण गुणोंका निवारण कर देता है
sa pārthaḥ pārthivān sarvān bhūmistho ’pi rathasthitān | eko nivārayāmāsa lobhaḥ sarvaguṇān iva ||
Sañjaya said: Though standing on the ground, that son of Pṛthā (Arjuna) single-handedly checked all the kings who were seated in their chariots—just as greed obstructs and suppresses every virtue. The verse frames Arjuna’s martial mastery as a moral image: one overpowering force can halt many, and greed, when it arises, can similarly overpower the whole range of good qualities.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The simile teaches that greed can overpower and block the expression of all virtues, just as a single powerful warrior can halt many opponents; it warns that one dominant vice can negate a whole moral character.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna, though on foot (grounded), successfully restraining or holding back numerous chariot-mounted kings on the battlefield, highlighting his prowess and tactical dominance.