Shloka 18
भीष्मरक्षण-उद्योगः, शिखण्डि-विवर्जनं, सर्वतोभद्र-व्यूहः
Protection of Bhīṣma, Exemption of Śikhaṇḍin, and the Sarvatobhadra Array
त॑ श्रुत्वा निनदं घोरं तस्य भीमस्य रक्षस: | आचार्यमुपसड्ञम्य भीष्म: शान्तनवोडब्रवीत्
taṁ śrutvā ninadaṁ ghoraṁ tasya bhīmasya rakṣasaḥ | ācāryam upasaṅgamya bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo 'bravīt ||
Sañjaya sprach: Als Bhīṣma, der Sohn Śāntanus, das schreckliche Brüllen des mächtigen Rākṣasa vernahm, trat er zu dem Lehrer Droṇa und sprach: „Meister, aus diesem furchtbaren Ruf ist klar, dass Ghaṭotkaca, der Sohn Hiḍimbās, gewiss mit König Duryodhana im Kampf liegt.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent discernment in war: leaders infer realities from signs (here, a terrifying roar) and promptly consult competent authority (the ācārya). It also reflects the ethical weight of command—responding to threats with clarity rather than panic.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīṣma hears a dreadful rākṣasa-like roar on the battlefield, goes to Droṇa, and concludes that Ghaṭotkaca (Hiḍimbā’s son) is likely engaged in fierce combat with King Duryodhana.