Shloka 17
Rajo-dhūli-saṃmūḍha-saṅgrāmaḥ
The Dust-Obscured Battle and Mutual Charges
तथैव वेदविच्छूरो ज्वलनार्कसमद्युति: । इन्द्रास्त्रविदमेयात्मा प्रपतन् समितिंजय:
tathaiva vedavic chūro jvalanārkasamadyutiḥ | indrāstravid ameyātmā prapatan samitiṃjayaḥ ||
وہ ویدوں کا جاننے والا، شجاعت سے بھرپور، آگ اور سورج کی مانند درخشاں؛ اندراستر کا واقف؛ بے اندازہ باطنی قوت والا؛ تیزی سے لپک کر حملہ آور ہونے والا اور میدانِ جنگ میں لشکروں کو زیر کرنے والا ہے۔
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of disciplined power: learning (Vedic knowledge) joined with courage and restraint-worthy capability (mastery of divine weapons). It underscores how true martial excellence is not mere aggression but trained, principled strength that can decisively shape the moral and strategic stakes of war.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, hearing the battle account, is being informed (and emotionally affected) by descriptions of Arjuna’s extraordinary prowess—his radiance, speed in assault, and mastery of Indra’s weapons—signaling the grave threat Arjuna poses to the Kaurava forces in the Kurukṣetra war.