Shloka 11
Kubera-prasāda-vihāra and Counsel on Ajñātavāsa (कुबेरप्रसादविहारः तथा अज्ञातवासोपदेशः)
पर्वतैश्छाद्यमानो*5हं निगृहीतैश्व वाजिभि: । अगच्छं परमामार्ति मातलिस्तदलक्षयत्,एक ओर तो मैं शिलाखण्डोंसे आच्छादित हो रहा था, दूसरी ओर मेरे घोड़े पकड़ लिये जानेसे रथकी गति कुण्ठित हो गयी थी। इस विवशताकी दशामें मुझे बड़ी पीड़ा होने लगी, जिसे मातलिने जान लिया
parvataiś chādyamāno ’haṃ nigṛhītaiś ca vājibhiḥ | agacchaṃ paramām ārtiṃ mātalis tad alakṣayat ||
Arjuna said: “As I was being hemmed in and covered over by falling mountain-masses, and as my horses were seized so that the chariot’s speed was checked, I was driven into extreme distress. Mātali perceived my helpless plight and understood the pain I was undergoing.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a great hero can be forced into helplessness by circumstances; the episode highlights the value of alert, supportive companionship—Mātali’s attentive perception becomes the first step toward timely protection and right action in a crisis.
Arjuna describes being overwhelmed by mountain-like masses while his chariot-horses are restrained, slowing his movement and causing intense distress; Mātali, his charioteer, notices this condition and understands Arjuna’s suffering.