Shloka 516
निशीथे राजशार्दूल स्तनयित्नोरिवाम्बरे | “नृपश्रेष्ठी इस रात्रिके समय आकाशमें मेघकी गर्जनाके समान जो अर्जुनके रथके समीप नगाड़ोंकी ध्वनि हो रही है, उसे सुनो
niśīthe rājaśārdūla stanayitnor ivāmbare |
Sañjaya said: “O tiger among kings, in the depth of night—like thunder in the sky—listen to that booming sound of the war-drums rising near Arjuna’s chariot.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse heightens moral and psychological tension: in war, signs and sounds become symbolic—thunder-like drums near Arjuna suggest an impending decisive clash, reminding rulers that their choices unleash forces as uncontrollable as a storm.
Sañjaya, reporting events to the king, describes the midnight scene: near Arjuna’s chariot the drums resound loudly, compared to thunder in the sky, signaling mobilization and imminent action.