Shloka 54
Bhīṣma-nipāta-saṃvāda — Sañjaya’s Report of Bhīṣma’s Fall (भीष्मनिपातसंवादः)
अगोपमिव चोद श्रान्तं गोकुलं तद् बल॑ मम । पौरुष॑ सर्वलोकस्य परं यस्मिन् महाहवे
agopam iva cod śrāntaṁ gokulaṁ tad balaṁ mama | pauruṣaṁ sarvalokasya paraṁ yasmin mahāhave ||
قال دِهرتراشترا: «كان جيشي هناك مُنهكًا يُساق دفعًا، كحظيرة ماشية في غوكل—مضطربًا متزاحمًا. ومع ذلك، ففي تلك المعركة العظمى تجلّت ذروةُ البأس الإنساني، المشهورة في أرجاء العالم.»
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts outward collapse with inner excellence: even when an army appears disordered and fatigued, true valor (pauruṣa) can still manifest. Ethically, it hints that reputation and courage are tested under pressure, not in comfort.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra reacts to the battle report, describing his own forces as worn out and driven into a cramped, confused state—likened to a gokula—while also acknowledging that extraordinary heroism was displayed in that great engagement.