Shloka 9
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
एतच्छुत्वा तु वचन राज्ञो भरतसत्तम | दुर्योधनमिदं वाक्य भीष्म: शान्तनवोडब्रवीत्
etac chrutvā tu vacanaṁ rājño bharatasattama | duryodhanam idaṁ vākyaṁ bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo ’bravīt, kathayāmāsa durdharṣo viniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ |
Sañjaya said: “O best of the Bharatas, having heard the king’s words, Bhīṣma, son of Śāntanu, addressed Duryodhana in reply. Duryodhana, hard to assail, heaved deep sighs again and again as he repeated the account—unable to endure the humiliation of his reverse in that great battle. Then Bhīṣma spoke to him in this manner.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how wounded pride and inability to bear defeat can agitate even a powerful warrior, and how such agitation naturally leads one to seek counsel from an elder. Ethically, it points to the need for steadiness (self-control) and wise guidance in moments of humiliation and crisis.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana, repeatedly sighing, narrates his distress and setback in the great battle. After hearing him, Bhīṣma—Śāntanu’s son—begins to respond, setting up Bhīṣma’s counsel to Duryodhana.