Shloka 19
भीमसेन–कर्णयुद्धवर्णनम्
Description of the Bhīmasena–Karṇa Engagement
राजेन्द्र! इस प्रकार जब वहाँ भयंकर शब्द व्याप्त हो गया, जो कायरोंको डराने और शूरवीरोंके हर्षको बढ़ानेवाला था, जब मेरी, झाँझ, ढोल और मृदंग आदि अनेक प्रकारके बाजे बजने और बजाये जाने लगे, उस समय दुर्योधनका हित चाहनेवाले विख्यात महारथी उस शब्दको न सह सकनेके कारण कुपित हो उठे। वे नाना देशोंमें उत्पन्न वीर, महारथी, महाधनुर्धर महीपाल, जो अपनी सेनाका संरक्षण कर रहे थे, अमर्षमें भरकर बड़े-बड़े शंख बजाने लगे; वे श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुनके प्रत्येक कार्यका बदला चुकानेको उद्यत थे || १४-- १८ || बभूव तव तत् सैन्यं शड्खशब्दसमीरितम् | उद्विग्नरथनागाश्चवमस्वस्थमिव वा विभो,प्रभो! आपकी वह सेना शंखके शब्दसे व्याप्त होनेके कारण अस्वस्थ-सी दिखायी देती थी। उसके हाथी, घोड़े और रथी सभी उद्विग्न हो उठे थे
sañjaya uvāca | babhūva tava tat sainyaṁ śaṅkhaśabdasamīritam | udvignarathanāgāś ca aśvam asvastham iva vā vibho |
Sañjaya said: O mighty one, as that dreadful din spread there—terrifying the timid and exalting the brave—while conches, cymbals, drums, and mṛdaṅgas were sounded, the famed great chariot-warriors devoted to Duryodhana, unable to endure it, flared up in wrath. Heroes from many lands—great chariot-fighters, master archers, and kings guarding their hosts—filled with indignation, blew mighty conches, ready to repay Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna for each deed. And, O lord, your army, pervaded by the conch-blare, looked as though unwell; elephants, horses, and chariot-warriors alike were thrown into agitation.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how external signals—especially the ritualized sound of conches—can decisively affect morale. In dharmic-ethical terms, it suggests that inner steadiness (sattva, self-control) is crucial in conflict; an army (or person) lacking composure becomes ‘as if unwell’ when confronted by a powerful challenge.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava host is visibly disturbed by the overwhelming conch-blast. The commotion spreads through the whole force: horses, elephants, and chariot-fighters become agitated, indicating a momentary loss of confidence and order as battle intensifies.