Shloka 5
Bhīṣma–Arjuna Strategic Engagement at Virāṭa’s Frontier (भीष्मार्जुनयुद्धम्)
हयानस्यार्जुन: सर्वान् कृतवानल्पजीवितान् । ते राजन् न प्रजानन्त दिशं काज्चन मोहिता:
hayān asyārjunaḥ sarvān kṛtavān alpajīvitān | te rājan na prajānanti diśaṃ kāñcana mohitāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Arjuna streckte all jene Reiter nieder und ließ ihnen nur ein wenig Leben. O König, vom moha benommen, vermochten sie keinerlei Richtung mehr zu erkennen.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how moha (bewilderment) arises when one’s composure and discernment collapse under pressure; in ethical terms, clarity of mind is essential for right action, while confusion makes even basic orientation impossible.
Vaiśampāyana reports that Arjuna has effectively neutralized the enemy horsemen, leaving them barely alive; stunned by his prowess, they become disoriented and cannot tell which direction to flee or regroup.