Shloka 35
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
वज्रो नामैष स व्यूहो निर्भय: सर्वतोमुख: । चापविद्युद्ध्वजो घोरो गुप्तो गाण्डीवधन्चना
vajro nāmaiṣa sa vyūho nirbhayaḥ sarvatomukhaḥ | cāpavidyuddhvajo ghoro gupto gāṇḍīvadhanvanā ||
Sañjaya nói: “Trận thế ấy gọi là ‘Vajra’ (Lôi Đình). Nó không biết sợ và quay mặt về mọi hướng. Trông thật ghê gớm, trên cây cung có lá cờ như tia chớp; và nó được Arjuna—người cầm Gāṇḍīva—bảo hộ vững chắc.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how disciplined strategy (vyūha) and steadfast guardianship by a capable protector (Arjuna) create a force that is ‘fearless’ and resilient—suggesting that in dharmic warfare, courage is strengthened by order, preparedness, and responsible leadership.
Sanjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra about a specific battlefield arrangement named the Vajra-vyūha. He describes its all-directional readiness and terrifying appearance, and notes that it is being effectively guarded by Arjuna, identified by his famed bow, the Gāṇḍīva.