Shloka 18
अध्याय ८० — मध्यंदिन-रणवृत्तान्तः
Yudhiṣṭhira–Śrutāyu encounter; Cekitāna–Gautama clash; Abhimanyu pressure; Arjuna’s redeployment
निवार्य महतीं सेनां तावकानां नरर्षभ: । आससाद रथं शून्यं भीमसेनस्य संयुगे,वहाँ आपकी विशाल सेनाको आगे बढ़नेसे रोककर नरश्रेष्ठ धृष्टद्युम्न युद्धस्थलमें भीमसेनके सूने रथके पास जा पहुँचे
nivārya mahatīṃ senāṃ tāvakānāṃ nararṣabhaḥ | āsasāda rathaṃ śūnyaṃ bhīmasenasya saṃyuge ||
Sañjaya said: Having checked the advance of your vast army, the bull among men—Dhṛṣṭadyumna—came upon Bhīmasena’s chariot standing empty on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, effective leadership is shown through restraint and clarity of purpose: a commander must control his forces, prevent disorderly advance, and act decisively based on the situation rather than impulse.
Sañjaya reports that Dhṛṣṭadyumna halts the forward movement of the Kaurava host and then goes to the spot where Bhīma’s chariot is found empty in the midst of battle, indicating a sudden shift or uncertainty about Bhīma’s immediate position.