Shloka 36
Bhīṣma’s Fall, the Arrow-bed (śara-talpa), and the Establishment of Guard
'सेनाके प्रमुख भागमें हाहाकार और किलकिलाहटके शब्द सुनायी देते हैं। तुम द्रपदकुमार धृष्टद्युम्मका सामना करनेके लिये जाओ और मैं युधिष्ठिरपर चढ़ाई करूँगा ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
senāke pramukha bhāgameṃ hāhākāra aura kilakilāhaṭake śabda sunāyī dete haiṃ | tuma drapadakumāra dhṛṣṭadyummakā sāmānā karane ke liye jāo aura maiṃ yudhiṣṭhirapara caṛhāī karūṃ ||
durgamaṃ hy antaraṃ rājño vyūhasyāmitatejasaḥ |
samudrakukṣipratimaṃ sarvato ’tirathaiḥ sthitaiḥ ||
Sañjaya dijo: «Desde la parte más avanzada del ejército se oyen gritos de alarma y fuertes clamores de batalla. Ve y enfrenta a Dhṛṣṭadyumna, hijo de Drupada, y yo apremiaré el ataque contra Yudhiṣṭhira. Pues penetrar en el interior de la formación del rey de inconmensurable fulgor es sumamente difícil—como entrar en el vientre del océano—ya que está cercada por todos lados por grandes guerreros de carro.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical weight of leadership in war: a righteous king’s position is protected not merely by force but by disciplined order and loyal guardianship. It also underscores prudence—recognizing when an objective is ‘durgama’ (hard to penetrate) and requires strategy rather than reckless assault.
Sañjaya reports intense noise and turmoil at the front. A commander issues tactical instructions: one warrior should engage Dhṛṣṭadyumna, while the speaker intends to attack Yudhiṣṭhira. Yet Yudhiṣṭhira’s formation is described as extremely difficult to enter, surrounded on all sides by elite chariot-fighters, likened to entering the ocean’s depths.