Shloka 40
निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas
Vajra-astra deployment
विचलन प्रथमोत्पाते हयानां भरतर्षभ । त्वं पुन: स्थित एवात्र रथे भ्रान्ते कुरूद्गबह,“कुरुकुलभूषण भरतश्रेष्ठ) जब घोड़े पहली बार उड़ान भरते हैं" उस समय मैंने सदा यह देखा है कि देवराज इन्द्र भी विचलित हुए बिना नहीं रह पाते, परंतु तुम चक्कर काटते हुए रथपर भी स्थिरभावसे बैठे हो
vicalana-prathamotpāte hayānāṃ bharatarṣabha | tvaṃ punaḥ sthita evātra rathe bhrānte kurūdgvaha ||
Arjuna disse: “Ó touro entre os Bharatas, no primeiro salto súbito e no primeiro solavanco dos cavalos, sempre vi que até Indra, rei dos deuses, não consegue permanecer totalmente sem se abalar. E, no entanto, tu, ó o primeiro entre os Kurus, permaneces aqui firme e sereno mesmo enquanto o carro gira e cambaleia.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse extols steadiness (dhairya) and self-mastery: true excellence is shown by remaining composed amid sudden upheaval, even when circumstances would unsettle ordinary beings—even the gods.
Arjuna addresses a revered Kuru hero/charioteer, marveling that while a chariot is jolted and whirls due to the horses’ sudden movement, the addressee remains perfectly steady—an implicit praise of superior discipline and courage.