Shloka 46
अभिमन्यु–अलम्बुसयुद्धम् / The Duel of Abhimanyu and Alambusa
with Arjuna’s approach to Bhīṣma
तद् दृष्टवा तावकं सैन्यं विद्रुतं शिबिरं प्रति । मम प्राक्रोशतो राजंस्तथा देवव्रतस्य च
tad dṛṣṭvā tāvakaṃ sainyaṃ vidrutaṃ śibiraṃ prati | mama prākrośato rājan tathā devavratasya ca ||
Oh rey, al ver que tu ejército huía hacia el campamento, tanto yo como Devavrata (Bhīṣma) no cesábamos de gritar a voz en cuello. Exhortábamos a los guerreros a mantenerse firmes y combatir, a no correr, declarando que cuanto veían en el campo de batalla era una pavorosa ilusión demoníaca proyectada por Ghaṭotkaca. Pero, dominados por el miedo y privados de juicio, no pudieron sostener su posición.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and confusion can collapse discipline and duty in war: even when elders and leaders urge steadiness, a mind seized by panic becomes incapable of right action. It also contrasts appearance and reality—what seems overwhelming may be an illusion—so discernment and courage are essential to uphold kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava forces, terrified, are running back toward their camp. Sañjaya and Bhīṣma shout to stop the rout and to fight, explaining that the frightening spectacle on the field is Ghaṭotkaca’s rākṣasa-created illusion, but the soldiers—stupefied by fear—do not regain composure.