Shloka 20
अध्याय १४८ — कर्णप्रभावः, धृष्टद्युम्नस्य विरथता, तथा घटोत्कच-आह्वानम्
Chapter 148: Karṇa’s Pressure, Dhṛṣṭadyumna Unhorsed, and the Summoning of Ghaṭotkaca
निक्षिपन्तं महास्त्राणि प्रेक्षणीयं धनंजयम् । नृत्यन्तं रथमार्गेषु धनुज्यातलनादिनम्,प्रलीनमीनमकरं सागराम्भ इवाभवत् | संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! उस समय अर्जुनके द्वारा खींचे जानेवाले गाण्डीव धनुषकी अत्यन्त भयंकर टंकार यमराजकी सुस्पष्ट गर्जना तथा इन्द्रके वज्रकी गड़गड़ाहटके समान जान पड़ती थी। उसे सुनकर आपकी सेना भयसे उद्विग्न हो बड़ी घबराहटमें पड़ गयी। उस समय उसकी दशा प्रलयकालकी आँधीसे क्षोभको प्राप्त एवं उत्ताल तरंगोंसे परिपूर्ण हुए उस महासागरके जलकी-सी हो गयी, जिसमें मछली और मगर आदि जलजन्तु छिप जाते हैं
sañjaya uvāca | nikṣipantaṁ mahāstrāṇi prekṣaṇīyaṁ dhanañjayam | nṛtyantaṁ rathamārgeṣu dhanujyātalanādinam, pralīnamīnamakaraṁ sāgarāmbha ivābhavat |
Sañjaya said: O King, Arjuna—Dhanañjaya—was a spectacle to behold as he kept hurling mighty celestial weapons. Moving as if dancing along the paths of his chariot, with the resounding twang and slap of his bowstring, he made your army like the ocean’s waters in a time of dissolution—tossed into turmoil, where fish and crocodiles vanish into hiding. The image underscores how overwhelming prowess in war can shatter morale, driving even seasoned warriors into fear and disarray.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in dharmic warfare, victory depends not only on weapons but also on steadiness of mind: overwhelming skill and relentless action can break an opponent’s morale, causing fear-driven collapse—an ethical reminder that inner composure is as decisive as outer force.
Sañjaya reports to the king that Arjuna is rapidly discharging powerful weapons while maneuvering his chariot with dazzling agility; the thunderous sound of his bow terrifies the opposing troops, who become like storm-tossed ocean waters where aquatic creatures hide.