Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 33
Adhyāya 61: Saṃmohana-astra and the Kuru Withdrawal (संमोहनास्त्रं तथा कुरुनिवृत्तिः)
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमाश्वासितस्तेन वैराटि: सव्यसाचिना । व्यवागाहद् रथानीकं भीम॑ भीष्माभिरक्षितम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | evam āśvāsitas tena vairāṭiḥ savyasācinā | vyavāgāhad rathānīkaṃ bhīmaṃ bhīṣmābhirakṣitam ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Así, tranquilizado por Savyasācin (Arjuna), el príncipe de Virāṭa penetró en la formación de carros—terrible y formidable—custodiada por todos lados por Bhīṣma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological dimension of warfare: fear can be steadied through wise reassurance, and a leader/mentor’s presence (Arjuna) can awaken courage and duty (kṣatriya-dharma) in one who hesitates before a formidable enemy protected by a great elder (Bhīṣma).
After Arjuna comforts and encourages Prince Uttara, Uttara advances into the enemy chariot-array, which is described as terrifying and guarded by Bhīṣma.