Shloka 15
भीमसेन–कर्णयुद्धवर्णनम्
Description of the Bhīmasena–Karṇa Engagement
भीरूणां त्रासजनने शूराणां हर्षवर्धने । प्रवादितासु भेरीषु झर्झरिष्वानकेषु च
bhīrūṇāṁ trāsajanane śūrāṇāṁ harṣavardhane | pravāditāsu bherīṣu jharjhariṣv ānakeṣu ca ||
Sañjaya said: When the kettledrums were sounded—together with the jharjharī drums and the ānaka war-drums—their thunderous music struck terror into the timid, yet it swelled the joy and resolve of the brave. Thus the very same martial signal revealed the inner temper of each side on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the same external event—martial drums—can produce opposite effects depending on one’s inner disposition: fear in the timid and invigorating joy in the courageous. It implicitly praises steadiness and valor as fitting qualities in a righteous warrior context.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield atmosphere as war-instruments are sounded. The booming of bherīs, jharjharīs, and ānakas signals the onset or intensification of combat, psychologically shaking the fearful while energizing the heroic fighters.