Shloka 4
Ritual Acclamation at Hastināpura and Karṇa’s Vow Concerning Arjuna (राजकीय स्तुति-प्रसङ्गः कर्णप्रतिज्ञा च)
अचिन्त्य शरवर्ष तु गन्धर्वास्तस्य तं रथम् । दुर्योधनं जिघांसन्त: समन््तात् पर्यवारयन्,परंतु गन्धवॉने उस बाणवर्षाकी कुछ भी परवाह नहीं की। उन्होंने दुर्योधनको मार डालनेकी इच्छासे उसके रथको चारों ओरसे घेर लिया
acintyaśaravarṣaṃ tu gandharvāstasya taṃ ratham | duryodhanaṃ jighāṃsantaḥ samantāt paryavārayan ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Though an inconceivable shower of arrows was being poured forth, the Gandharvas paid it no heed. Intent on killing Duryodhana, they surrounded his chariot on every side—showing how reckless aggression and pride can draw one into peril when confronted by a superior force.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how arrogance and hostile intent can lead to immediate danger: even a fierce defense (a rain of arrows) may fail when one is morally and strategically overmatched, and when opponents act with unified resolve.
During the Gandharva conflict in the forest, the Gandharvas ignore the heavy arrow-fire and close in on Duryodhana’s chariot from all sides, aiming to kill him by isolating and overwhelming his position.