Shloka 8
शमीवृक्षस्थायुधप्रकाशनम् / Revelation and Identification of the Weapons on the Śamī Tree
तदनीकं महद् दृष्टवा गजाश्वरथसंकुलम् | कर्णदुर्योधनकृपैर्गुप्तं शान्तनवेन च,वह भारी सेना हाथी, घोड़ों एवं रथोंसे भरी हुई थी। कर्ण, दुर्योधन, कृपाचार्य, भीष्म, अश्वत्थामा और महान् धनुर्धर एवं परम बुद्धिमान् द्रोण उसकी रक्षा कर रहे थे। उसे देखकर विराटपुत्र उत्तरके रोंगटे खड़े हो गये। उसने भयसे व्याकुल होकर अर्जुनसे कहा
tad anīkaṁ mahad dṛṣṭvā gajāśvaratha-saṅkulam | karṇa-duryodhana-kṛpair guptaṁ śāntanavena ca ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Seeing that vast battle-array, densely packed with elephants, horses, and chariots, and protected by Karṇa, Duryodhana, Kṛpa, and also by the son of Śantanu (Bhīṣma), Uttara, the prince of Virāṭa, was struck with terror—his hair standing on end—and, shaken by fear, spoke to Arjuna.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological reality of warfare: the sight of overwhelming force can shake even a prince. It implicitly contrasts fear-driven collapse with the steadiness expected in kṣatriya-dharma, setting the stage for Arjuna’s guidance and the cultivation of courage grounded in discernment rather than panic.
Uttara, accompanying the disguised Arjuna, sees the massive Kaurava formation filled with elephants, horses, and chariots, guarded by leading warriors like Karṇa, Duryodhana, Kṛpa, and Bhīṣma. Overcome by fear (horripilation), he turns to Arjuna and speaks in distress.