Shloka 46
Rajo-dhūli-saṃmūḍha-saṅgrāmaḥ
The Dust-Obscured Battle and Mutual Charges
मध्यंदिने यथा5<दित्यं तपन्तमिव तेजसा । न शेकुः पाण्डवेयस्य योधा भीष्म निरीक्षितुम्
sañjaya uvāca | madhyaṃdine yathādityaṃ tapantam iva tejasā | na śekuḥ pāṇḍaveyasya yodhā bhīṣmam nirīkṣitum ||
Sañjaya dit : Comme il est difficile de fixer le soleil brûlant à midi, ainsi les guerriers des Pāṇḍava ne purent même pas regarder Bhīṣma. Debout sur le champ de bataille tel un feu sans fumée, il rayonnait d’un éclat si écrasant que leur courage et leur sang-froid fléchirent devant lui.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how tejas—radiant power born of prowess, discipline, and reputation—can overwhelm opponents even before weapons decide the outcome. Ethically, it points to the inner dimension of war: morale, fear, and the aura of a dharma-bound elder-warrior like Bhīṣma shape the battlefield as much as physical force.
Sañjaya describes Bhīṣma standing in the fight with smokeless-fire-like brilliance. The Pāṇḍava soldiers, intimidated by his blazing presence, are unable to fix their gaze on him—comparing their inability to looking at the scorching midday sun.