Shloka 78
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
तमुद्यतगदं दृष्टवा सशृज्भमिव पर्वतम् । तावकानां भयं घोरं समपद्यत भारत,भारत! शुंगयुक्त पर्वतके समान उन्हें गदा उठाये आते देख आपके सैनिकोंके मनमें घोर भय समा गया
tam udyata-gadaṁ dṛṣṭvā saśṛṅgam iva parvatam | tāvakānāṁ bhayaṁ ghoraṁ samapadyata bhārata ||
Sañjaya sprach: Als sie ihn mit erhobener Keule heranstürmen sahen—gleich einem Berg mit seinen Gipfeln—ergriff deine Krieger, o Bhārata, ein grausiges Entsetzen.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical-psychological dimension of warfare: courage and visible readiness can determine outcomes by breaking the opponent’s morale. It implies that inner steadiness (dhairya) is as crucial as physical strength, since fear can overwhelm an army even before combat fully engages.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a powerful warrior is seen approaching with a mace raised, compared to a peak-crested mountain. This sight causes the Kaurava troops (‘your men’) to be overtaken by intense fear.