Shloka 553
बक-गौतमाख्यानम् / The Baka–Gautama Account
On Gratitude and Friendship Ethics
रुद्रं दृष्टया बलोद्धूतं प्रमुमोह चचाल च । तत्पश्चात् दानवदलने देखा कि देवसेनापतिका कार्य सँभालनेवाले उत्कट बलशाली रुद्रदेव युद्धसे पीछे नहीं हट रहे हैं, तब वे मोहित और विचलित हो उठे
rudraṃ dṛṣṭvā baloddhūtaṃ pramumoha cacāla ca |
Bhishma said: Seeing Rudra, whose might had been roused into overwhelming force, they were struck with bewilderment and began to waver. Thereafter, when they realized that Rudra—fierce and immensely powerful, the slayer of the Dānavas and the one who bears the burden of command for the gods—was not retreating from the battle, they became even more deluded and unsteady.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how unwavering divine resolve can shatter the confidence of opponents: when a righteous or cosmic force (Rudra) does not retreat, those driven by hostility or arrogance fall into moha (delusion) and lose steadiness. Ethically, it contrasts steadfastness in duty with the destabilizing effects of fear and confusion.
Bhishma describes a battlefield moment: on seeing Rudra’s aroused, formidable power, the opposing side becomes stunned and begins to waver. When they further perceive that Rudra—depicted as the crusher of Dānavas and a leader for the gods—continues advancing without retreat, their agitation and bewilderment intensify.