Adhyāya 61: Saṃmohana-astra and the Kuru Withdrawal (संमोहनास्त्रं तथा कुरुनिवृत्तिः)
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमाश्वासितस्तेन वैराटि: सव्यसाचिना । व्यवागाहद् रथानीकं भीम॑ भीष्माभिरक्षितम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | evam āśvāsitas tena vairāṭiḥ savyasācinā | vyavāgāhad rathānīkaṃ bhīmaṃ bhīṣmābhirakṣitam ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: So von Savyasācin (Arjuna) beruhigt, trat der Prinz von Virāṭa in die Wagenformation ein—schrecklich und gewaltig—die ringsum von Bhīṣma bewacht wurde.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological dimension of warfare: fear can be steadied through wise reassurance, and a leader/mentor’s presence (Arjuna) can awaken courage and duty (kṣatriya-dharma) in one who hesitates before a formidable enemy protected by a great elder (Bhīṣma).
After Arjuna comforts and encourages Prince Uttara, Uttara advances into the enemy chariot-array, which is described as terrifying and guarded by Bhīṣma.