Shloka 26
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
ततः शरैर्दीप्तमुखैर्यन्त्रितैरनुमन्त्रितै: । प्रत्यविध्यमहं तं॑ तु वजैरिव शिलोच्चयम्
tataḥ śarair dīptamukhair yantritair anumantritaiḥ | pratyavidhyam ahaṃ taṃ tu vajrair iva śilocchayam ||
پھر میں نے دہکتے سروں والے، پوری طرح کھینچ کر چھوڑے گئے اور منتر-بال سے مؤثر کیے ہوئے تیروں سے اسے بار بار چھیدا—گویا بجلی کے کوندے چٹانی پہاڑ پر برس رہے ہوں۔
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power in battle is portrayed as disciplined and consecrated: Arjuna’s effectiveness comes from controlled technique (yantrita—fully drawn, regulated) and purposeful empowerment (anumantrita—mantra-charged), not from uncontrolled rage. The simile of thunderbolts striking rock emphasizes steadfast resolve and repeated, measured action.
Arjuna describes a combat moment: after a prior exchange, he releases blazing, well-drawn, mantra-empowered arrows and repeatedly wounds his opponent, comparing the impact to thunderbolts battering a rocky mountain.