Shloka 13
भीष्मरक्षण-प्रकरणम् / The Protective Screen around Bhīṣma and the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Clash
निवातकवचान् युद्धे वासवेनापि दुर्जयान् । जितवान् समरे पार्थ: पर्याप्त॑ तन्निदर्शनम्
nivātakavacān yuddhe vāsavenāpi durjayān | jitavān samare pārthaḥ paryāptaṁ tan nidarśanam ||
Sañjaya disse: “Em batalha, Pārtha—o filho de Pṛthā—derrotou os Nivātakavacas, inimigos que até Indra (Vāsava) teria achado difíceis de vencer. Só este exemplo basta para indicar o poder extraordinário que Arjuna possui.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sañjaya establishes Arjuna’s credibility and exceptional prowess through a concrete precedent: he overcame enemies considered unconquerable even for Indra. Ethically, the verse highlights that true capability is demonstrated by proven deeds, not mere claims.
Sañjaya is describing Arjuna’s extraordinary martial power to his listener by citing an earlier feat—his victory over the Nivātakavacas—using it as decisive evidence of Arjuna’s strength in the present war context.