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Shloka 363

निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas

Vajra-astra deployment

मातलिहयतत्त्वज्ञो यथावद्‌ भूरिदक्षिण: । मातलि अश्वसंचालनकी कलाके मर्मज्ञ थे। सारथिके कार्यमें अत्यन्त कुशल थे। उन्होंने मन तथा वायुके समान वेगशाली अश्वोंको यथोचित रीतिसे आगे बढ़ाया

mātaliḥ yat tattvajño yathāvad bhūridakṣiṇaḥ |

Arjuna berkata: “Mātali, yang mengetahui hakikat dan sangat mahir, melaksanakan tugas sebagai sais kereta dengan sempurna. Arif dalam seni mengendalikan kuda, dia menggesa kuda-kuda yang sepantas fikiran dan angin itu mara ke hadapan dengan cara yang wajar.”

मातलिःMatali (Indra's charioteer)
मातलिः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootमातलि
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
हयतत्त्वज्ञःknower of the principles of horses
हयतत्त्वज्ञः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootहय-तत्त्व-ज्ञ
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
यथावत्properly, as prescribed
यथावत्:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयथावत्
भूरिदक्षिणःvery skillful (lit. having abundant दक्षिणा/skill)
भूरिदक्षिणः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootभूरि-दक्षिण
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

अजुन उवाच

A
Arjuna
M
Mātali
H
horses
C
chariot (implied)

Educational Q&A

Excellence in dharma is shown through competent performance of one’s role: Mātali’s truth-informed expertise and disciplined technique illustrate how right knowledge and practical skill together uphold duty.

Arjuna describes Mātali’s mastery as a charioteer—his knowledge, dexterity, and precise control of extremely swift horses—highlighting the reliable guidance enabling the journey/encounter to proceed effectively.