Shloka 91
अथार्जुन: सर्वतो वारुणास्त्रं प्रादुश्षक्रे त्रासयन् धार्तराष्ट्रान् | त॑ प्रत्युदीयु: कुरव: पाण्डुपुत्रं रथैर्महाहैं: शरवर्षाण्यवर्षन्,तदनन्तर अर्जुनने धृतराष्ट्रके पुत्रोंको भयभीत करते हुए सब ओर वारुणास्त्र प्रकट किया। कौरव-सैनिक अपने बहुमूल्य रथोंद्वारा पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनकी ओर बढ़े और उनपर बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगे
athārjunaḥ sarvato vāruṇāstraṃ prāduścakre trāsayan dhārtarāṣṭrān | taṃ pratyudīyuḥ kuravaḥ pāṇḍuputraṃ rathair mahāhaiḥ śaravarṣāṇy avarṣan |
Sañjaya said: Then Arjuna, terrifying the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra on every side, manifested the Vāruṇa weapon. In response, the Kurus advanced against the son of Pāṇḍu with great, splendid chariots and rained volleys of arrows upon him. The episode underscores how, in the heat of war, fear and retaliation rapidly escalate—prowess is met not with reflection but with counter-force.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical pattern in the epic: fear provokes counter-violence, and power is answered by greater force. It invites reflection on how quickly conflict escalates when opponents respond from panic and pride rather than restraint and discernment.
Arjuna deploys the Vāruṇa weapon, frightening the Kaurava side. The Kuru warriors then surge forward in well-equipped chariots and unleash heavy arrow-fire at Arjuna in an attempt to check his advance.