Shloka 24
भीमसेन-दुर्योधन-प्रहारः तथा घटोत्कचमायाप्रादुर्भावः | Bhīmasena–Duryodhana Clash and the Manifestation of Ghaṭotkaca’s Māyā
ततः शूरा: समासाद्य समरे ते परस्परम् । नेत्रैरनिमिषै राजन्नवैक्षन्त परस्परम्,राजन! तदनन्तर समस्त शूरवीर समरभूमिमें पहुँचकर परस्पर एक-दूसरेको एकटक नेत्रोंसे देखने लगे
tataḥ śūrāḥ samāsādya samare te parasparam | netrair animiṣair rājann avaikṣanta parasparam ||
Sañjaya said: Then those heroes, having come face to face on the battlefield, fixed their gaze upon one another. O King, with unblinking eyes they looked steadily at their opponents—an intense, silent moment of resolve before the clash.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological and ethical threshold of battle: warriors, bound by kṣatriya-dharma, meet their opponents with unwavering attention and resolve. It underscores steadiness (animiṣa-dṛṣṭi) as a sign of courage and commitment to one’s chosen duty, even when the act is grave.
Sañjaya describes a charged pause before combat: the assembled heroes reach the battlefield and stare at each other without blinking, measuring strength and intent. It sets the scene for imminent engagement and heightens the tension between the two sides.