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Shloka 35

Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens

वज्रो नामैष स व्यूहो निर्भय: सर्वतोमुख: । चापविद्युद्ध्वजो घोरो गुप्तो गाण्डीवधन्चना

vajro nāmaiṣa sa vyūho nirbhayaḥ sarvatomukhaḥ | cāpavidyuddhvajo ghoro gupto gāṇḍīvadhanvanā ||

サンジャヤは言った。「この戦陣は『ヴァジュラ(雷霆)』と呼ばれた。恐れを知らず、四方すべてに面していた。見るだに凄まじく、弓の上には稲妻のごとき旗印が翻り、ガーンディーヴァを携えるアルジュナによって堅く守られていた。」

वज्रःVajra (name/title)
वज्रः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootवज्र
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
नामname (as)
नाम:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootनामन्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
एषःthis
एषः:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootएतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
सःthat/he
सः:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
व्यूहःbattle-array/formation
व्यूहः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootव्यूह
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
निर्भयःfearless
निर्भयः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootनिर्भय
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
सर्वतःon all sides/from every direction
सर्वतः:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootसर्वतः
मुखःfaced (having a face)
मुखः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootमुख
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
चापविद्युत्bow-like lightning / lightning (as of a bow)
चापविद्युत्:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootचापविद्युत्
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
ध्वजःbanner/standard
ध्वजः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootध्वज
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
घोरःterrible
घोरः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootघोर
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
गुप्तःprotected/guarded
गुप्तः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootगुप्त
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
गाण्डीवधन्वनाby the wielder of the Gāṇḍīva (Arjuna)
गाण्डीवधन्वना:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootगाण्डीवधन्वन्
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sanjaya
V
Vajra-vyūha (battle formation)
A
Arjuna
G
Gāṇḍīva (bow)
D
Dhvaja (banner/standard)
V
Vidyut (lightning, as simile)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how disciplined strategy (vyūha) and steadfast guardianship by a capable protector (Arjuna) create a force that is ‘fearless’ and resilient—suggesting that in dharmic warfare, courage is strengthened by order, preparedness, and responsible leadership.

Sanjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra about a specific battlefield arrangement named the Vajra-vyūha. He describes its all-directional readiness and terrifying appearance, and notes that it is being effectively guarded by Arjuna, identified by his famed bow, the Gāṇḍīva.