Shloka 45
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
व्यवस्थिता: प्रतिव्यूह्मृ तव पुत्रस्य वाहिनीम् । ग्रसन्त इव मज्जा नो योधानां भरतर्षभ
sañjaya uvāca |
vyavasthitāḥ prativyūhya tava putrasya vāhinīm |
grasanta iva majjā no yodhānāṁ bharatarṣabha ||
Sañjaya said: “O bull among the Bharatas, the Pāṇḍava heroes, exulting in battle, stood arrayed in counter-formation before the army of your son. They seemed, as it were, to devour the very marrow of our warriors—draining their strength and resolve. Seeing Bhīmasena, the wielder of the mace, stationed at the fore, our entire host was seized with fear.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how dharma-yuddha is not only physical combat but also discipline, formation, and morale: righteous resolve and strategic order can break an opponent’s spirit, while fear spreads quickly when leadership and confidence falter.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍavas have taken up a counter-formation facing Duryodhana’s army. Their aggressive stance is described as ‘devouring the marrow’ of the Kaurava warriors, and the sight of Bhīma at the front causes widespread fear in the Kaurava ranks.