Shloka 45
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 29 — Arjuna’s defeat of Vṛṣaka–Acalā and the neutralization of Śakuni’s māyā
वलीसंछज्ननयन: शूर: परमदुर्जय: । अक्ष्णोरुन्मीलनार्थाय बद्धपट्टो हासौ नृप:,तदनन्तर भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने गाण्डीवधारी अर्जुनसे कहा--“कुन्तीनन्दन! यह भगदत्त बहुत बड़ी अवस्थाका है। इसके सारे बाल पक गये हैं और ललाट आदि अंगोंमें झुर्रियाँ पड़ जानेके कारण पलकें झपी रहनेसे इसके नेत्र प्राय: बंद-से रहते हैं। यह शूरवीर तथा अत्यन्त दुर्जय है। इस राजाने अपने दोनों नेत्रोंको खुले रखनेके लिये पलकोंको कपड़ेकी पट्टीसे ललाटमें बाँध रखा है”
sañjaya uvāca |
valīsaṃchanna-nayanaḥ śūraḥ paramadurjayaḥ |
akṣṇor unmīlanārthāya baddha-paṭṭo ha sa nṛpaḥ ||
Sanjaya said: That king, a hero and exceedingly hard to overcome, had eyes veiled by wrinkles. In order to keep his eyes open, he had bound a cloth-band across his forehead. (The description underscores the paradox of age and bodily decline coexisting with formidable martial power, reminding the listener that in war one must judge an opponent by capability rather than appearance.)
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not underestimate an opponent—or any person—based on outward signs like age or physical limitation; true strength lies in resolve, experience, and capability, and ethical judgment in conflict requires clear-eyed assessment rather than superficial perception.
Sanjaya narrates a striking detail about the enemy king: his eyelids tend to droop due to age and wrinkles, so he ties a cloth-band to keep his eyes open, yet he remains a brave and nearly unconquerable warrior—setting the stage for the gravity of the combat around him.