Shloka 90
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
त्रासितेषु च सर्वेषु भीमेनाद्भुतकर्मणा । पुनरावर्तमानेषु विद्रवत्सु च सडूघश:
sañjaya uvāca |
trāsiteṣu ca sarveṣu bhīmenādbhuta-karmaṇā |
punarāvartamāneṣu vidravat-su ca saṅghaśaḥ |
Sañjaya said: When all the Kalinga warriors had been thrown into panic by Bhīma—whose deeds were astonishing—and when, in confused groups, they were fleeing and then repeatedly turning back again, the Pāṇḍava commander, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, son of Drupada, addressed all his troops: “Heroes, fight—press on with courage!”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the midst of fear and disorder, a leader’s dharma is to restore courage and order. Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s call—“Heroes, fight!”—frames steadfastness and disciplined valor as the ethical response to panic on the battlefield.
Bhīma’s extraordinary onslaught terrifies the Kalinga fighters, who flee in groups and then waver, turning back again. Seeing this shifting momentum, the Pāṇḍava commander Dhṛṣṭadyumna rallies his troops, urging them to fight with renewed spirit.