Shloka 23
Adhyāya 112: Bhīṣma-prati Arjunasya Pravṛttiḥ
Arjuna’s Forward Drive Toward Bhīṣma
ऋते त्वां पुरुषव्याप्र देवतुल्यपराक्रम । पर्याप्तस्तु भवाज्शीघ्रं पीडितानां गतिर्भव
ṛte tvāṃ puruṣavyāghra devatulyaparākrama | paryāptaḥ tu bhavān śīghraṃ pīḍitānāṃ gatir bhava ||
Sañjaya dit : «Ô tigre parmi les hommes, dont la vaillance égale celle des dieux ! En dehors de toi, je ne vois nul autre refuge pour affermir notre armée, tandis qu’elle est fauchée par ces grands guerriers de char. Toi seul suffis à la protéger. Deviens donc sans tarder l’abri et la voie de salut pour nous qui sommes pressés de toutes parts.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a moment of military collapse, Sañjaya frames effective leadership as becoming the 'gati'—the refuge and decisive recourse—for those who are afflicted. The verse highlights the ethical expectation that the most capable person should promptly assume protective responsibility when others are suffering.
Sañjaya reports that the Kaurava army is being devastated by powerful warriors. He urges the addressed leader to act immediately, declaring that apart from him there is no other support capable of holding the army together and protecting the distressed troops.