Shloka 22
भीष्मभीमसमागमः — Bhīṣma–Bhīma Strategic Engagement and Counsel to the King
सर्वत: शुशुभे राजन् रणे5रीणां दुरासद: । मण्डलं तु समालोक्य व्यूहं परमदुर्जयम्
sarvataḥ śuśubhe rājan raṇe 'rīṇāṃ durāsadaḥ | maṇḍalaṃ tu samālokya vyūhaṃ paramadurjayam ||
Sanjaya said: O King, on every side that battle-array of the foes shone brilliantly in the field, making approach exceedingly difficult. Beholding that circular formation, a battle-order most hard to overcome, one saw both the splendor of martial discipline and the grave peril it posed to any who would confront it.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how disciplined military organization (vyūha) can become a formidable moral and practical challenge in war: brilliance and order may mask danger, reminding the listener that power and strategy intensify the stakes and consequences of conflict.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the enemy host in the battlefield appears splendid and difficult to assail, specifically noting a circular (maṇḍala) battle formation that is extremely hard to defeat.