Shloka 18
भीष्मरक्षण-उद्योगः, शिखण्डि-विवर्जनं, सर्वतोभद्र-व्यूहः
Protection of Bhīṣma, Exemption of Śikhaṇḍin, and the Sarvatobhadra Array
त॑ श्रुत्वा निनदं घोरं तस्य भीमस्य रक्षस: | आचार्यमुपसड्ञम्य भीष्म: शान्तनवोडब्रवीत्,उस भयानक राक्षसकी वह घोर गर्जना सुनकर शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मने द्रोणाचार्यके पास जाकर इस प्रकार कहा--'आचार्य! यह राक्षसके मुखसे निकली हुई जैसी घोर गर्जना सुनायी दे रही है, उससे अनुमान होता है कि अवश्य ही हिडिम्बाका पुत्र घटोत्कच राजा दुर्योधनके साथ जूझ रहा है
taṁ śrutvā ninadaṁ ghoraṁ tasya bhīmasya rakṣasaḥ | ācāryam upasaṅgamya bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo 'bravīt ||
Sañjaya said: Hearing that dreadful roar of the mighty rākṣasa, Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, approached the preceptor Droṇa and spoke: “Teacher, from this terrifying cry it is clear that Ghaṭotkaca, the son of Hiḍimbā, is surely locked in combat with King Duryodhana.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent discernment in war: leaders infer realities from signs (here, a terrifying roar) and promptly consult competent authority (the ācārya). It also reflects the ethical weight of command—responding to threats with clarity rather than panic.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīṣma hears a dreadful rākṣasa-like roar on the battlefield, goes to Droṇa, and concludes that Ghaṭotkaca (Hiḍimbā’s son) is likely engaged in fierce combat with King Duryodhana.