Shloka 28
अध्याय ८८ — घटोत्कच-दुर्योधनयुद्धवर्णनम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Duryodhana Engagement
स चापि दृष्टवा समुदीर्यमाण- मस्त्रं युगान्ताग्निसमप्रकाशम् । न सम्मुमोह द्रुपदस्य पुत्रो राजन महेन्द्रप्रतिमप्रभाव:
sa cāpi dṛṣṭvā samudīryamāṇam astram yugāntāgnisamaprakāśam | na sammumoha drupadasya putro rājan mahendrapratimaprabhāvaḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Voyant cette arme se déchaîner—flamboyante comme le feu à la fin d’un âge—Śikhaṇḍin, fils de Drupada, dont la puissance égalait celle d’Indra, ne perdit pas son sang-froid, ô Roi. Au cœur d’une violence effroyable, la fermeté et la clarté du dessein apparaissent comme la force éthique du guerrier, et non comme une simple agressivité.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights inner steadiness under extreme threat: true prowess includes not being mentally shaken by fearsome displays of power. In a dharmic war context, composure and resolve are portrayed as essential virtues alongside martial skill.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a terrifying, blazing weapon is being unleashed. Despite its apocalyptic brilliance, Śikhaṇḍin (Drupada’s son) remains unbewildered and stands firm.