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Shloka 35

Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens

वज्रो नामैष स व्यूहो निर्भय: सर्वतोमुख: । चापविद्युद्ध्वजो घोरो गुप्तो गाण्डीवधन्चना,यह वज्र नामक व्यूह सर्वधा भयरहित तथा सब ओर मुखवाला था। उसके ध्वजके निकट सुवर्णभूषित धनुष विद्युतके समान प्रकाशित होता था। गाण्डीवधारी अर्जुनके द्वारा ही वह भयंकर व्यूह सुरक्षित था

vajro nāmaiṣa sa vyūho nirbhayaḥ sarvatomukhaḥ | cāpavidyuddhvajo ghoro gupto gāṇḍīvadhanvanā ||

सञ्जय उवाच—वज्रो नामैष स व्यूहो निर्भयः सर्वतोमुखः। चापविद्युद्ध्वजो घोरो गाण्डीवधन्वना गुप्तः॥

वज्रःVajra (name/title)
वज्रः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootवज्र
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
नामname (as)
नाम:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootनामन्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
एषःthis
एषः:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootएतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
सःthat/he
सः:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
व्यूहःbattle-array/formation
व्यूहः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootव्यूह
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
निर्भयःfearless
निर्भयः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootनिर्भय
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
सर्वतःon all sides/from every direction
सर्वतः:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootसर्वतः
मुखःfaced (having a face)
मुखः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootमुख
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
चापविद्युत्bow-like lightning / lightning (as of a bow)
चापविद्युत्:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootचापविद्युत्
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
ध्वजःbanner/standard
ध्वजः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootध्वज
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
घोरःterrible
घोरः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootघोर
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
गुप्तःprotected/guarded
गुप्तः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootगुप्त
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
गाण्डीवधन्वनाby the wielder of the Gāṇḍīva (Arjuna)
गाण्डीवधन्वना:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootगाण्डीवधन्वन्
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sanjaya
V
Vajra-vyūha (battle formation)
A
Arjuna
G
Gāṇḍīva (bow)
D
Dhvaja (banner/standard)
V
Vidyut (lightning, as simile)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how disciplined strategy (vyūha) and steadfast guardianship by a capable protector (Arjuna) create a force that is ‘fearless’ and resilient—suggesting that in dharmic warfare, courage is strengthened by order, preparedness, and responsible leadership.

Sanjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra about a specific battlefield arrangement named the Vajra-vyūha. He describes its all-directional readiness and terrifying appearance, and notes that it is being effectively guarded by Arjuna, identified by his famed bow, the Gāṇḍīva.