Shloka 4
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
भवन्तं समुपश्रित्य वासुदेवं यथा परै: । पाण्डवैर्विग्रहो घोर: समारब्धो मया प्रभो
sañjaya uvāca |
bhavantaṃ samupāśritya vāsudevaṃ yathā paraiḥ |
pāṇḍavair vigraho ghoraḥ samārabdho mayā prabho |
kathayāmāsa durdharṣo viniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ |
Sañjaya said: “O Lord, just as my enemies, taking refuge in Vāsudeva, wage war, so have I, relying upon you, begun a dreadful conflict with the Pāṇḍavas.” Having spoken thus, the hard-to-subdue Duryodhana repeatedly heaved deep sighs, laying bare the strain of pride and dependence, and the moral weight of a war undertaken beneath the shelter of a revered elder.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ‘āśraya’ (refuge/dependence) as a decisive moral and strategic factor in war: the Pāṇḍavas rely on Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva), while Duryodhana claims reliance on Bhīṣma. It implicitly contrasts divine-guided counsel with dependence on mere martial authority, and shows how inner agitation (repeated sighing) accompanies choices driven by pride and rivalry.
Sañjaya reports that the formidable speaker (contextually Duryodhana) addresses an elder commander (contextually Bhīṣma), saying that just as the opponents fight under Kṛṣṇa’s protection, he has initiated a terrible war against the Pāṇḍavas relying on Bhīṣma. His repeated deep sighs signal distress and frustration as he recounts events and seeks support.