Shloka 138
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
स्वबाहुवीर्येण जिता: सभीष्मा: किरीटिना लोकमहारथेन । “श्रुतायु
sañjaya uvāca |
svabāhuvīryeṇa jitāḥ sabhīṣmāḥ kirīṭinā lokamahārathena |
śrutāyu rājā ambaṣṭhapatiḥ durmarṣaṇaḥ citrasenaḥ droṇaḥ kṛpaḥ jayadrathaḥ bāhlikaḥ bhūriśravāḥ śalyaḥ śalaś ca—ete tathā anye’pi saikadā yoddhāḥ krodhena bharitā lokamahārathinaḥ kirīṭadhāriṇā kuntīkumarārjunena raṇabhūmau svabāhuparākramena bhīṣmasahitaṃ parājitāḥ |
iti bruvantaḥ śibirāṇi jagmuḥ sarve gaṇā bhārata ye tvadīyāḥ |
bhārata! uparyuktāḥ kathāḥ vadantaḥ tava samastāḥ sainikāḥ sahasraśo jvalitābhir maśālabhiḥ prakāśamānaiś ca dīpair ujjvaliteṣu (pradīpteṣu) sva-sva-śibireṣu jagmuḥ | kauravasenāyāḥ samasteṣu sainikeṣu arjunasya trāsaḥ channaḥ | evaṃ sthitāyāṃ tasyāṃ senāyāṃ rātrau viśrāmaḥ kṛtaḥ |
Sañjaya dit : « Par la seule puissance de ses propres bras, Arjuna au diadème—le premier parmi les grands guerriers de char du monde—les a tous vaincus, Bhīṣma compris. ‘Śrutāyu, le roi Ambashthapati, Durmarṣaṇa, Citraseṇa, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Jayadratha, Bāhlika, Bhūriśravas, Śalya et Śala—et bien des centaines d’autres—grands champions embrasés de colère—ont été domptés sur le champ de bataille par Arjuna, fils de Kuntī, ceint de son diadème, par sa seule prouesse, alors même que Bhīṣma se tenait parmi eux.’ Ainsi parlant, toutes tes troupes, ô Bhārata, regagnèrent leurs camps respectifs. À la lueur de milliers de torches flamboyantes et de lampes éclatantes, elles se replièrent, et la crainte d’Arjuna se répandit sur toute l’armée des Kaurava. En cet état, l’armée prit repos pour la nuit.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how personal prowess and steadfastness in one’s warrior-duty can decisively affect the moral-psychological state of an army: Arjuna’s valor not only defeats renowned champions but also spreads fear and lowers Kaurava morale, showing that ethical resolve and disciplined strength shape outcomes beyond mere numbers.
Sanjaya reports that Arjuna, identified by his diadem, has routed many named Kaurava champions—Bhishma among them. The Kaurava soldiers, repeating this news, withdraw to their camps by torchlight and lamplight, and the entire host is gripped by fear of Arjuna as they rest for the night.