Shloka 22
भीष्मस्य मण्डलव्यूहः — Bhīṣma’s Maṇḍala Battle-Formation and the Opening Engagements
तत्रादभुतमपश्याम सौमदत्ते: पराक्रमम् । यदेको बहुभियुद्धे समसज्जदभीतवत्,वहाँ हम सबने सोमदत्तपुत्र भूरिश्रवाका अद्भुत पराक्रम देखा। वह अकेला होनेपर भी बहुत-से वीरोंके साथ निर्भीक-सा युद्ध करता रहा
tatrādbhūtam apaśyāma saumadatteḥ parākramam | yad eko bahubhir yuddhe samasajjad abhītavat ||
Sañjaya dit : «Là, nous vîmes l’étonnante vaillance de Saumadatti (Bhūriśravas). Bien qu’il fût seul, il engagea le combat contre de nombreux guerriers, comme s’il était entièrement sans peur.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfast courage: even when outnumbered, a warrior is expected to stand firm and engage without panic. Ethically, it praises fearlessness and resolve in one’s appointed duty (svadharma), while remaining within the larger tragic context of war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that on the battlefield they witnessed Bhūriśravas (called Saumadatti) displaying remarkable prowess—fighting single-handedly against many opponents and entering combat as though fearless.