Shloka 22
ततो मातलिना सार्धमहं तत् पुरम भ्ययाम् । त्रासयन् रथघोषेण निवातकवचस्त्रिय:,तब मैं मातलिके साथ रथकी घर्घराहटसे निवातकवचोंकी स्त्रियोंको भयभीत करता हुआ उस दैत्य-नगरमें गया
tato mātalinā sārdham ahaṃ tat puraṃ abhyayām | trāsayan rathaghoṣeṇa nivātakavaca-striyaḥ ||
Then, accompanied by Mātali, I advanced into that city. With the thunderous roar of my chariot, I struck fear into the women of the Nivātakavaca demons—an entry that signals the beginning of a decisive confrontation with forces hostile to the gods and to righteous order.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic heroism supported by divine cooperation: Arjuna, aligned with Indra’s charioteer, advances against adharma. It also shows that in righteous conflict, psychological force (creating fear through the chariot’s roar) can function as a strategic tool when directed toward defeating destructive powers.
Arjuna, speaking in the first person, says that he went with Mātali into the demon-city associated with the Nivātakavacas. As he entered, the loud sound of his chariot frightened the women there, marking his bold arrival and the escalation toward battle.