Shloka 3
Saṃśaptakas in Candrārdha-vyūha; Arjuna’s Devadatta and the Traigarta Rout
Chapter 17
उक्तमेतन्मया पूर्व न तिष्ठति धनंजये । शक्यो ग्रहीतु संग्रामे देवेरपि युधिष्ठिर:,“राजन! मैंने पहले ही कह दिया था कि अर्जुनके रहते हुए सम्पूर्ण देवता भी युद्धमें युधिष्ठिरको पकड़ नहीं सकते हैं
uktam etan mayā pūrvaṁ na tiṣṭhati dhanañjaye | śakyo grahītuṁ saṅgrāme devair api yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai raja, telah kukatakan dahulu: selagi Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) berdiri teguh, Yudhiṣṭhira tidak dapat ditangkap dalam perang—bahkan oleh para dewa sekalipun.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral and strategic power of steadfast guardianship: when a righteous leader (Yudhiṣṭhira) is protected by an unwavering champion (Arjuna), unjust aggression and even overwhelming force are rendered ineffective. It highlights how resolve, loyalty, and dharmic alignment can become a decisive shield in war.
Sañjaya reports to the king that earlier he had already warned: as long as Arjuna remains present and firm, the enemy’s plan to seize or capture Yudhiṣṭhira in the battlefield cannot succeed—so formidable is Arjuna’s protection that it is described as beyond even divine capability.