Shloka 31
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
न चैनमशकं हन्तुं हल 0 खा भवत् | तस्मिन् प्रतिहते चास्त्रे मे महानभूत्,किंतु उससे भी उसका वध न कर सका। यह एक अद्भुत-सी घटना हुई। वायव्यास्त्रके निष्फल हो जानेपर मुझे महान् आश्चर्य हुआ
arjuna uvāca | na cainam aśakaṁ hantuṁ vāyavyāstreṇa bhārata | tasmin pratihate cāstre me mahad abhavad āścaryam |
Sinabi ni Arjuna: “O Bhārata, hindi ko siya napatay kahit sa sandata ng Hangin. At nang ang sandatang iyon ay napigil at nawalan ng bisa, sumiklab sa akin ang matinding pagkamangha. Tunay itong pambihirang pangyayari—sa kabila ng aking pagsisikap, hindi ko siya maihatid sa kamatayan.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the mightiest warrior and the most potent divine weapons can meet limits; the episode highlights humility before higher powers and the ethical recognition that victory is not guaranteed by force alone.
Arjuna reports that he attempted to kill an opponent using the Vāyavyāstra, but the weapon was countered and became ineffective; this unexpected failure fills him with great astonishment.