Shloka 5
निवातकवचैः सह अर्जुनस्य रथयुद्धम्
Arjuna’s chariot engagement with the Nivātakavacas
ततः स हरिभिर्युक्ते जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृतम् मेघनादिनमारुहा[ श्रिया परमया ज्वलन्
tataḥ sa haribhir yukte jāmbūnadapariṣkṛtam | meghanādinam ārūḍhaḥ śriyā paramayā jvalan ||
Kemudian baginda menaiki kereta bernama Meghanāda, dipasangkan dengan kuda-kuda pantas dan dihias dengan emas Jāmbūnada yang halus; menyala dengan seri yang tertinggi, baginda pun berangkat—suatu citra kuasa diraja dan kemakmuran duniawi yang sering mendahului tindakan penentu dalam kisah rimba.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward magnificence—fine horses, gold adornment, and radiant prosperity—often accompanies moments of resolve and movement in epic narrative; it implicitly contrasts worldly splendor with the deeper ethical trials characteristic of the forest life (vana-vāsa), where true worth is tested beyond appearances.
A previously mentioned male figure mounts a richly decorated chariot called Meghanāda, yoked with horses, and proceeds in great brilliance—signaling a transition into action, such as departure, pursuit, or the commencement of an important encounter.