Shloka 38
Bhīṣma’s Fall, the Arrow-bed (śara-talpa), and the Establishment of Guard
उपेन्द्रसदूश: श्यामो महाशाल इवोद्गत: । एष गच्छत्यनीकाग्रे द्वितीय इव फाल्गुन:
upendrasadṛśaḥ śyāmo mahāśāla ivodgataḥ | eṣa gacchaty anīkāgre dvitīya iva phālgunaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “Behold Abhimanyu—dark-hued like Upendra (Viṣṇu), and towering like a great śāla tree. He moves at the very front of the battle-array, like a second Arjuna.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the dharmic ideal of courageous leadership: a warrior who accepts responsibility and advances first for the sake of his side, combining strength with steadfast resolve in a righteous struggle.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Abhimanyu, compared to Viṣṇu in complexion and to a tall śāla tree in stature, is marching at the very front of the formation, appearing like a second Arjuna.