Shloka 32
न चैन पार्थिवा: केचिच्छक्ता राजन् निरीक्षितुम् | मध्यं प्राप्तं यथा ग्रीष्मे तपन्तं भास्करं दिवि
na caina pārthivāḥ kecic chakta rājan nirīkṣitum | madhyaṁ prāptaṁ yathā grīṣme tapantaṁ bhāskaraṁ divi ||
Sañjaya sprach: O König, keiner jener irdischen Herrscher hatte die Kraft, ihn auch nur anzusehen—so wie es in der Sommerhitze schwer ist, in die glühende Sonne zu blicken, wenn sie mittags im Zenit steht. Das Bild vermittelt Bhīṣmas überwältigende Strahlkraft und kriegerische Autorität, vor der selbst Könige den Mut verlieren, die Augen zu heben.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the midday-sun simile to express how extraordinary power and moral-martial stature can inspire awe that restrains even proud rulers. It highlights the psychological dimension of dharma-yuddha: courage is tested not only by weapons but by the opponent’s presence and reputation.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the assembled kings could not bear to look at Bhīṣma, whose brilliance and might were like the scorching sun at noon—signaling Bhīṣma’s dominance on the battlefield at that moment.