Shloka 40
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
व्यायामं मुष्टिभि: कृत्वा तलैरपि समागतै: । अपाययंश्व तद् भूत॑ निश्रचेष्टमगमं महीम्
vyāyāmaṁ muṣṭibhiḥ kṛtvā talair api samāgataiḥ | apāyayaṁś ca tad bhūtaṁ niśceṣṭam agamaṁ mahīm ||
Arjuna disse: “Lutei com aquele ser, golpeando-o com os punhos e com as palmas abertas quando nos aproximamos; contudo, não pude dominá-lo. Subjugado, fiquei imóvel e caí por terra. Então, ó rei, aquele ser maravilhoso riu e, enquanto eu olhava, desapareceu ali mesmo juntamente com as mulheres.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a great warrior’s strength has limits; the episode underscores humility and discernment—physical force alone cannot master every situation, especially when confronting the uncanny or divinely protected.
Arjuna describes a close-quarters struggle in which he strikes with fists and palms but fails to subdue a supernatural being; he is rendered helpless and falls, after which the being laughs and vanishes along with the women present.