Shloka 32
भीष्मवधोपाय-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into the means to overcome Bhīṣma) | Chapter 103
तां वध्यमानां च तथा पाण्डवानां महाचमूम् । प्रत्युद्ययौ रणे रक्षो देवसेनां यथा बल:,इस प्रकार पीड़ित हुई पाण्डवोंकी विशाल वाहिनीपर उस राक्षसने युद्धमें उसी प्रकार धावा किया, जैसे बल नामक दैत्यने देवसेनापर आक्रमण किया था
tāṁ vadhyamānāṁ ca tathā pāṇḍavānāṁ mahācamūm | pratyudyayau raṇe rakṣo devasenāṁ yathā balaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: As the great host of the Pāṇḍavas was being grievously assailed, that Rākṣasa surged forward in battle against it—just as Bala, the Daitya, once charged upon the army of the gods.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how overwhelming force in war can resemble mythic, cosmic conflicts; ethically, it points to the trial of steadfastness—maintaining one’s duty and composure when confronted by terrifying aggression.
Sañjaya describes a Rākṣasa warrior launching a fierce charge against the already hard-pressed Pāṇḍava army, likening his assault to the Daitya Bala’s legendary attack on the gods’ army.