Section 16 - Battle of Arjuna with Samsaptakas and Ashvatthama
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section 16 including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
The battle of Arjuna with the Samsaptakas and other kings of the Pandavas was described as destructive, with Arjuna penetrating the enemy force and slaying many warriors with his arrows. He cut off arms, heads, and entire bodies of his foes, filling the battlefield with the fallen. Arjuna's skill and valor in battle were compared to the destructive force of a tempest agitating the vast deep. He fought with such precision and speed that the celestial beings and sages present applauded him and likened him to Nara and Narayana.
Ashvatthama then challenged Arjuna to battle, and Krishna advised Arjuna to accept the challenge and fight with full resolve. Ashvatthama, filled with rage, launched a fierce attack on Arjuna and Krishna, shooting a relentless shower of arrows at them. He stupefied Arjuna with his arrowy shower, piercing him with thousands of arrows from all directions. Arjuna, however, remained undeterred and used his training and might to counter Ashvatthama's attacks, cutting off every arrow and destroying them like the Sun dispersing a thick fog.
Arjuna then turned his focus to the samsaptakas, unleashing a flurry of arrows that struck down elephants, steeds, and men in the battlefield. His arrows cut through well-equipped cars, elephants as large as hillocks, and well-decked horsemen and foot-soldiers of the enemy. Like the rising Sun at the end of the Yuga, Arjuna dried up the samsaptaka ocean with his impetuous arrows, displaying his unmatched skill in battle. He pierced Drona's son, Ashvatthama, resembling a huge hill, with arrows of great impetuosity and splendour, like the wielder of the thunderbolt piercing a mountain.
Despite Ashvatthama's fierce attacks, Arjuna remained steadfast and continued to counter every arrow with his own, proffering quivers upon quivers of arrows to his opponent like a charitable person offering everything to a guest. He then left the samsaptakas and turned his attention towards Drona's son, rushing towards him with determination. The battle between Arjuna and Ashvatthama was intense and filled with awe-inspiring feats of valor and skill, as the two warriors engaged in a fierce combat of arrows. Arjuna's might and courage shone brightly on the battlefield, as he faced his enemies with unwavering resolve and determination.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section 16 - Battle of Arjuna with Samsaptakas and Ashvatthama, have a look at the following articles:
Section 16, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | 31,635 words | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section 16:
Battle of Arjuna with the Samsaptakas and other kings
What was the result of the battle between Arjuna and the samsaptakas? How did Arjuna showcase his skills in battle against Ashvatthama? What did Krishna advise Arjuna to do during the battle with Ashvatthama? How did Arjuna overcome the challenges posed by Ashvatthama in battle?
Daily life: Battle of Arjuna with Samsaptakas and Ashvatthama:
The story from the Mahabharata, where Arjuna combats Ashvatthama and the samsaptakas, provides a metaphorical lesson on facing challenges and making decisions amidst adversity. The first takeaway is the importance of confronting obstacles head-on, as exemplified by Arjuna's determination to penetrate the formidable samsaptaka forces. In our daily lives, this can translate to tackling our problems directly and with courage, rather than avoiding them, acknowledging that overcoming difficulties often requires engaging with them directly.
Moreover, the narrative showcases the necessity of making calculated choices under pressure. Arjuna, caught between the need to fight the samsaptakas and Ashvatthama's challenge, prioritizes his challenges judiciously, guided by Krishna's counsel. This teaches us the value of seeking guidance and weighing our options carefully when faced with multiple challenges, emphasizing the need for strategic thinking and the wisdom to prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance.
Arjuna's relentless pursuit of victory, despite the overwhelming odds and Ashvatthama's formidable prowess, serves as a reminder of the power of perseverance and the importance of preparing for and committing to our goals. By continuously engaging with the challenges and utilizing his skills and resources efficiently, Arjuna demonstrates that with dedication and hard work, even the most daunting of tasks can be surmounted.
In essence, the epic battle teaches us to face our problems directly, make decisions wisely under pressure, seek guidance when needed, prioritize our challenges, and persevere with determination. By applying these principles, we can navigate the complexities of our daily lives more effectively, overcoming obstacles with the same resolve and bravery as Arjuna on the battlefield.