Shloka 2
Chapter 30: Formation Disruption, Competing War-Cries, and Nīla’s Fall
Droṇa-parva
ततो गान्धारराजस्य सुतौ परपुरंजयौ । अर्देतामर्जुनं संख्ये भ्रातरौ वृषकाचलौ,उधरसे गान्धारराज सुबलके दो पुत्र शत्रुनगरीपर विजय पानेवाले वृषक्र और अचल दोनों भाई आ पहुँचे और युद्धमें अर्जुनको पीड़ित करने लगे
tato gāndhārarājasya sutau parapuraṃjayau | ardetām arjunaṃ saṅkhye bhrātarau vṛṣakācalau ||
Sañjaya said: Then the two sons of the king of Gāndhāra—brothers Vṛṣa and Acala, renowned as conquerors of enemy strongholds—closed in upon Arjuna on the battlefield and began to press and harass him in combat. The scene underscores how, in war, even the foremost warrior is tested by coordinated assaults, and how prowess is measured not only by strength but by steadiness under pressure.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological dimension of warfare: even a righteous and highly skilled warrior must face concentrated opposition, and true excellence is shown through composure and resilience when surrounded or pressured by multiple foes.
Sañjaya reports that two brothers—Vṛṣa and Acala, sons of the Gāndhāra king—advance together against Arjuna and begin attacking him vigorously in the midst of battle.