अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute
करसम्पीडनं कृत्वा गर्जन्ती वारणाविव । नर्दन्तौ मेघसंकाशौ बाहुप्रहरणावुभौ
karasampīḍanaṃ kṛtvā garjantī vāraṇāv iva | nardantau meghasaṅkāśau bāhu-praharaṇāv ubhau ||
Sesudah menggenggam dan menekan tangan satu sama lain, kedua-duanya mengaum seperti sepasang gajah raja. Sambil menghentam dengan lengan, mereka meraung dengan suara dalam, berat bagaikan awan—memperlihatkan kekuatan tanpa gentar dan tekad yang tidak mahu mengalah dalam perlawanan.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
The verse highlights the kṣātra (warrior) ideal of fearlessness and steadfastness: in a direct contest, one must meet the opponent with courage and controlled power, without wavering.
Two fighters close in, clasp and press each other’s hands, then roar and strike with their arms, compared to two great elephants and to the deep rumble of clouds—an image of escalating intensity in a physical duel.