Shloka 24
इन्द्रप्रशंसा, दिव्योपकरणदानं, गन्धमादनसमागमश्च
Indra’s Commendation, Bestowal of Divine Insignia, and the Gandhamādana Reunion
तेषामपि तु बाणास्ते तन्मातलिरपूजयत् । अवाकिरन् मां बलवत् तानहं व्यधमं शरै:,तदनन्तर उन दानवोंके भी बाण मेरे ऊपर जोर-जोरसे गिरने लगे। मातलिने उनकी उस बाण-वर्षाकी भी सराहना की। फिर मैंने अपने बाणोंद्वारा शत्रुओंके उन सब बाणोंको छिन्न- भिन्न कर डाला
teṣām api tu bāṇās te tanmātalir apūjayat | avākiran māṁ balavat tān ahaṁ vyadhamaṁ śaraiḥ ||
Arjuna said: “Even their arrows began to rain down upon me with great force. Mātali praised that very shower of missiles; but then, with my own shafts, I shattered and dispersed all those enemy arrows.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadiness and disciplined skill under attack: even when overwhelmed by a powerful barrage, Arjuna responds with controlled precision rather than panic, turning defense into effective counteraction.
During combat, the Dānavas’ arrows fall heavily upon Arjuna. Mātali, serving as charioteer, acknowledges the intensity of their missile-rain; Arjuna then counters by breaking up the incoming arrows with his own, neutralizing the assault.