Shloka 20
भीष्म-युधिष्ठिर-संमर्दः
Bhīṣma’s Pressure on Yudhiṣṭhira; Śikhaṇḍī’s Approach; Evening Withdrawal
परिवार्य ततो भीम॑ जेतुकामो जयद्रथ: । रथैरनेकसाहसैर्भीमस्थावारयद् दिश:,तत्पश्चात् जयद्रथने भीमसेनको जीतनेकी इच्छा रखकर कई हजार रथोंके द्वारा उन्हें घेर लिया और उनकी सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंको अवरुद्ध कर दिया
parivārya tato bhīmaṁ jetukāmo jayadrathaḥ | rathair aneka-sāhasair bhīmasthām avārayad diśaḥ ||
قال سانجيا: ثم إن جايادراثا، وقد عزم على قهر بهيما، أحاط به، وبآلاف العربات الحربية سدَّ الجهات من حول موضع بهيما—طالبًا الظفر بالحصار والإغراق في القوة، لا بمواجهة واحدة عادلة مكشوفة.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical tension in the Mahābhārata: victory sought through sheer numerical pressure and encirclement can be effective militarily, yet it raises questions about kṣatriya ideals of fair combat and honorable engagement. It contrasts strategic success with the moral scrutiny applied to methods used in war.
Sañjaya reports that Jayadratha, determined to defeat Bhīma, deploys thousands of chariots to surround Bhīma and block all directions, attempting to immobilize and overwhelm him through a coordinated encirclement.