Shloka 53
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
ततो<पायान्नूपस्तत्र भीमसेनस्यथ गोचरात्
tato 'pāyān nṛpo 's tatra bhīmasenasyātha gocarāt | tataḥ rājā duryodhanaḥ bhīmasenasya mārgeṇa dūrataḥ apākrāmat | atha sarvā kaurava-senā bhīmasenam abhyapatat | bhīmasena-vadha-kāṅkṣayā āgatānāṃ kauravāṇāṃ mahān siṃhanādaḥ sarvato 'nunāditaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then the king withdrew from there, moving out of Bhīmasena’s range; Duryodhana stepped aside, keeping away from Bhīma’s path. Immediately the entire Kaurava host surged upon Bhīmasena. Intent on killing him, the Kauravas raised a mighty lion-roar that resounded on every side—an image of collective aggression and the war-ethic of overpowering a single formidable foe by massed assault rather than meeting him in equal contest.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear of a powerful opponent can lead leaders to avoid direct engagement and instead rely on massed force. Ethically, it contrasts personal valor with collective aggression, showing how adharma can manifest as opportunistic tactics driven by the desire to eliminate a single threat.
Duryodhana moves out of Bhīma’s immediate reach and away from his path. Then the Kaurava army collectively charges Bhīma, shouting a thunderous battle-cry, indicating a coordinated attempt to overwhelm and kill him.