Shloka 16
Kuru-Sainika-Āśvāsana and Vijayaghoṣaṇa
Reassuring the Kuru Soldiers; Proclaiming Victory
वित्रासयित्वा तत् सैन्यं द्रावयित्वा महारथान् । अर्जुनो जयतां श्रेष्ठ: पर्यवर्तत भारत,भारत! विजयी वीरोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुन उस सेनाको भयभीत करके (सामने आये हुए) महारथियोंको भगाकर रणभूमिमें चारों ओर घूमने लगे
vitrāsayitvā tat sainyaṁ drāvayitvā mahārathān | arjuno jayatāṁ śreṣṭhaḥ paryavartata bhārata bhārata ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Wahai Bhārata, setelah menakutkan bala tentera itu dan menghalau para maharathi (pahlawan kereta perang agung) hingga lari, Arjuna—yang terunggul antara para pemenang—bergerak mengelilingi medan perang ke segala arah.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of resolute courage and skilled action: when fearlessness and mastery are present, even a powerful force can be scattered. Ethically, it points to disciplined strength used decisively in a just martial context rather than cruelty for its own sake.
Arjuna has overwhelmed the opposing host: he frightens the army, drives away the elite mahārathas, and then ranges across the battlefield, indicating complete tactical dominance and the enemy’s disarray.