Shloka 816
भीमसेनस्य बहुमहारथसंयुगः
Bhīmasena’s Engagement with Multiple Mahārathas
वीक्षांचक्रुमहाराज पाण्डवा भयपीडिता: । महाराज! भीष्मके द्वारा मारे जाते हुए सैकड़ों और हजारों पाण्डव सैनिक समरमें अलौकिक पराक्रम प्रकट करनेवाले भीष्मको भयसे पीड़ित होकर देख रहे थे
vīkṣāṃ cakrur mahārāja pāṇḍavā bhayapīḍitāḥ |
Sañjaya said: O great king, the Pāṇḍava warriors, tormented by fear, looked on—while hundreds and thousands of their men were being cut down by Bhīṣma, whose prowess in battle appeared almost superhuman. The scene underscores how even righteous fighters can be shaken when confronted with overwhelming martial power, and how fear spreads through an army when its protectors fall in masses.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral-psychological truth within dharma-yuddha: even those fighting for a righteous cause can be overwhelmed by fear when confronted with extraordinary force and heavy losses. It implicitly points to the need for steadiness, discipline, and leadership to prevent fear from collapsing collective resolve.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍava side is watching in fear as Bhīṣma, displaying exceptional prowess, cuts down their troops in vast numbers on the battlefield.