Shloka 12
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ९६: सौभद्रस्य आक्रमणम्, अलम्बुसस्य प्रतिविधानम्
Abhimanyu’s assault; Alambusa’s counter-engagement
वेगेन महता राजन् पर्वकाले यथोदध्ि:,राजन! जैसे पूर्णिमाको समुद्र बड़े वेगसे बढ़ता है, उसी प्रकार भीमसेन अत्यन्त वेगसे आगे बढ़े। उनके पीछे सत्यधृति, रणदुर्मद सौचित्ति, श्रेणिमानू, वसुदान, काशिराजके पुत्र अभिभू, अभिमन्यु आदि योद्धा, द्रौपदीके पाँचों महारथी पुत्र, पराक्रमी क्षत्रदेव, क्षत्रधर्मा, अनूपदेशके राजा नील, जिन्हें अपने बलका पूरा भरोसा था--इन सब वीरोंने विशाल रथसेनाके साथ हिडिम्बाकुमार घटोत्कचको सब ओरसे घेर लिया
sañjaya uvāca | vegena mahatā rājan pūrṇimākāle yathodadhiḥ, tathā bhīmaseno 'tyanta-vegenāgre 'bhavat | tasya pṛṣṭhataḥ satyadhṛtiḥ raṇadurmadaḥ saucittiḥ śreṇimān vasudānaḥ kāśirājasya putro 'bhibhūḥ abhimanyuś ca, draupadyāḥ pañca mahārathāḥ putrāḥ, parākramaḥ kṣatradevaḥ kṣatradharmā ca, anūpadeśasya rājā nīlaḥ—ye svabale samyak-pratyayavantaḥ—ete sarve vīrā viśālena ratha-senayā saha hiḍimbā-kumāraṃ ghaṭotkacaṃ sarvataḥ paryavārayām āsuḥ |
Sañjaya said: “O King, just as the ocean swells with great force at the time of the full moon, so Bhimasena surged forward with tremendous speed. Close behind him came Satyadhriti, Ranadurmad, Sauchitti, Shreniman, Vasudana, Abhibhu the son of the king of Kashi, Abhimanyu, the five great chariot-warrior sons of Draupadi, the valiant Kshatradeva and Kshatradharma, and Nila, king of the Anupa region—heroes fully confident in their own strength. With a vast host of chariots, all these warriors surrounded Hidimba’s son Ghatotkacha on every side.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how collective resolve and coordinated action amplify strength in dharmic warfare: when many capable warriors unite with confidence and discipline, they can contain even a formidable opponent. The simile of the full-moon ocean underscores surging momentum—ethical force expressed as steadfast courage and duty on the battlefield.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Bhima charges forward with immense speed. A group of notable Pandava-aligned warriors—along with a large chariot host—then closes in from all directions to encircle Ghatotkacha, the powerful rakshasa-born son of Hidimba.