Shloka 2
Bhīṣma’s Stuti of Keśava and Counsel on Nara–Nārāyaṇa (भीष्म-स्तवः; नरनारायण-प्रसङ्गः)
त॑ं द्रोणदुर्योधनबाह्लिकाश्व तथैव दुर्मर्षणचित्रसेनौ । जयद्रथश्वातिबलो बलौघै- न॑पास्तथान्ये प्रययु: समनन््तात्
taṁ droṇaduryodhanabāhlikāśva tathaiva durmarṣaṇacitrasenau | jayadrathaśvātibalo balaughair apāstathānye prayayuḥ samanantāt || saṁsaktamatitejobhis tam ekaṁ dadṛśur janāḥ | pañcabhir manujavyāghrair gajaiḥ siṁhaśiśuṁ yathā ||
Sañjaya dijo: A su alrededor avanzaron Droṇa, Duryodhana, Bāhlika, y también Durmarṣaṇa y Citrasena; y Jayadratha, de fuerza extraordinaria, con masas de tropas, y otros reyes además, entrando desde todos los flancos. La gente vio allí a un solo guerrero trabado en combate con hombres de brillo abrumador—como un cachorro de león acosado por cinco elefantes. Así se vio a Abhimanyu, hijo de Subhadrā, luchando solo contra aquellos cinco héroes, leones entre los hombres.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war: a lone, duty-bound hero faces a coordinated onslaught by many renowned warriors. It underscores kṣatriya-dharma (steadfastness and courage under pressure) while implicitly inviting reflection on fairness and collective aggression against a single combatant.
Sañjaya reports that major Kaurava leaders—Droṇa, Duryodhana, Bāhlika, Durmarṣaṇa, Citrasena, and the very powerful Jayadratha—advance with large forces from all directions. Observers see one warrior fighting amid them, compared to a lion-cub surrounded by five elephants; this lone fighter is identified as Abhimanyu, son of Subhadrā.