Shloka 55
इन्द्रजिद्-लक्ष्मणयुद्धम्
Indrajit and Lakṣmaṇa: Escalation through Concealment
ततो<भ्यधावतां वीरावुभौ भीमधनंजयौ । हताश्व॑ं सैन्धवं भीतमेकं व्याकुलचेतसम्,तत्पश्चात् वे दोनों वीर भीम और अर्जुन जयद्रथके पीछे दौड़े। वह अकेला तो था ही, घोड़ोंके मारे जानेसे अत्यन्त भयभीत भी हो गया था। उसके हृदयमें व्याकुलता छा गयी थी
tato 'bhyadhāvatāṃ vīrāv ubhau bhīmadhanañjayau | hatāśvaṃ saindhavaṃ bhītam ekaṃ vyākulacetasam ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Thereafter the two heroes, Bhīma and Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), rushed in pursuit. Jayadratha of Sindhu, now without his horses, found himself alone and overwhelmed by fear; his mind became agitated and unsteady. The passage underscores how wrongful action and sudden loss of support can swiftly turn confidence into panic, while the pursuers act with resolute purpose to confront the offender.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral psychology of conflict: when one commits an offense and loses external supports (here, horses and protection), fear and mental agitation arise quickly; in contrast, those pursuing justice act with steadiness and resolve.
Bhīma and Arjuna charge after Jayadratha. Jayadratha, identified as the Saindhava, has had his horses killed and is left alone; frightened, he becomes mentally distressed as the two Pāṇḍava heroes close in.