Shloka 30
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
पातिते भीमसेनेन शल्ये कर्णे च शड्किते । शड्किता: सर्वराजान: परिवत्रुर्वकोदरम्
pātite bhīmasenena śalye karṇe ca śaṅkite | śaṅkitāḥ sarvarājānaḥ parivavruḥ vṛkodaram ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Als Śalya von Bhīmasena zu Boden geschlagen war und auch Karṇa von Zweifel und Furcht ergriffen wurde, umringten alle Könige —aufgeschreckt und des Kampfesmutes beraubt— Vṛkodara (Bhīma) von allen Seiten und standen im Kreis um ihn. Die Szene zeigt, wie rasch die Moral im Krieg umschlägt: Der Sturz eines Helden und das Wanken eines anderen können ein ganzes Heer erschüttern und die Herrscher aus Angst handeln lassen statt aus gefestigtem Entschluss.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical-psychological dimension of warfare: collective conduct often follows fear and shifting morale rather than principled steadiness. When key warriors fall or waver, even rulers may abandon clear judgment and act defensively, revealing how dharma in conflict is tested not only by weapons but by courage and composure.
After Bhīmasena brings down Śalya and Karṇa becomes apprehensive, the gathered kings grow alarmed. They stop pressing forward with confident battle intent and instead surround Bhīma from all sides, forming an encirclement around him.