Shloka 44
Rātri-yuddhe Droṇasya prahāraḥ — Bhīmasenasya dhārtarāṣṭra-śūrānām nigrahaḥ
Night Battle: Droṇa’s Assault and Bhīma’s Suppression of Dhārtarāṣṭra Warriors
निवातकवचा येन देवैरपि सुदुर्जया: । निर्जिता धुनुषैकेन दिष्ट्या पार्थ: स जीवति,“जिसने देवताओंके लिये भी अत्यन्त दुर्जय निवातकवच नामक दानवोंको एकमात्र धनुषकी सहायतासे जीत लिया था, वह कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुन हमारे भाग्यसे जीवित है
nivātakavacā yena devair api sudurjayāḥ | nirjitā dhanuṣaikena diṣṭyā pārthaḥ sa jīvati ||
Sañjaya said: “By him—Arjuna—those Nivātakavaca demons, who were exceedingly hard to conquer even for the gods, were defeated with a single bow. By good fortune, that son of Kuntī still lives.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary prowess aligned with dharma can overcome even seemingly invincible forces, while also acknowledging the role of diṣṭi (fortune/providence) in the outcomes of war.
Sañjaya reports with relief and admiration that Arjuna—renowned for having once defeated the Nivātakavaca demons whom even the gods found hard to conquer—is still alive, implying his continued decisive presence in the battle.