Shloka 47
Rātri-yuddhe Droṇasya prahāraḥ — Bhīmasenasya dhārtarāṣṭra-śūrānām nigrahaḥ
Night Battle: Droṇa’s Assault and Bhīma’s Suppression of Dhārtarāṣṭra Warriors
गन्धर्वराजं बलिन॑ दुर्योधनकृते च वै । जितवान् यो<स्त्रवीर्येण दिष्ट्या पार्थ: स जीवति,“जिसने अपने अस्त्र-बलसे दुर्योधनके लिये बलवान गन्धर्वराज चित्रसेनको परास्त किया था, वह पार्थ सौभाग्यवश जीवित है
sañjaya uvāca |
gandharvarājaṃ balinaṃ duryodhanakṛte ca vai |
jitavān yo 'stravīryeṇa diṣṭyā pārthaḥ sa jīvati ||
गन्धर्वराजं बलिनं दुर्योधनकृते च वै । जितवान् योऽस्त्रवीर्येण दिष्ट्या पार्थः स जीवति ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the irony and moral complexity of war: Arjuna once acted for Duryodhana’s benefit and displayed extraordinary martial excellence, yet in the present conflict that same excellence becomes decisive against the Kauravas. It also underscores the role of daiva (fortune) in survival amid battle.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna—previously known for defeating the powerful Gandharva king on Duryodhana’s behalf—has, by good fortune, survived and remains alive, implying his continued presence as a formidable force in the ongoing war.