Shloka 40
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
व्यायामं मुष्टिभि: कृत्वा तलैरपि समागतै: । अपाययंश्व तद् भूत॑ निश्रचेष्टमगमं महीम्
vyāyāmaṁ muṣṭibhiḥ kṛtvā talair api samāgataiḥ | apāyayaṁś ca tad bhūtaṁ niśceṣṭam agamaṁ mahīm ||
میں اس سے گتھم گتھا ہوا اور مُکّوں اور کھلی ہتھیلیوں سے ضربیں لگائیں؛ مگر میں اسے قابو نہ کر سکا۔ مغلوب ہو کر میں بے حرکت زمین پر گر پڑا۔
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a great warrior’s strength has limits; the episode underscores humility and discernment—physical force alone cannot master every situation, especially when confronting the uncanny or divinely protected.
Arjuna describes a close-quarters struggle in which he strikes with fists and palms but fails to subdue a supernatural being; he is rendered helpless and falls, after which the being laughs and vanishes along with the women present.