Shloka 12
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ९६: सौभद्रस्य आक्रमणम्, अलम्बुसस्य प्रतिविधानम्
Abhimanyu’s assault; Alambusa’s counter-engagement
वेगेन महता राजन् पर्वकाले यथोदध्ि:
sañjaya uvāca | vegena mahatā rājan pūrṇimākāle yathodadhiḥ, tathā bhīmaseno 'tyanta-vegenāgre 'bhavat | tasya pṛṣṭhataḥ satyadhṛtiḥ raṇadurmadaḥ saucittiḥ śreṇimān vasudānaḥ kāśirājasya putro 'bhibhūḥ abhimanyuś ca, draupadyāḥ pañca mahārathāḥ putrāḥ, parākramaḥ kṣatradevaḥ kṣatradharmā ca, anūpadeśasya rājā nīlaḥ—ye svabale samyak-pratyayavantaḥ—ete sarve vīrā viśālena ratha-senayā saha hiḍimbā-kumāraṃ ghaṭotkacaṃ sarvataḥ paryavārayām āsuḥ |
Sañjaya dit : « Ô Roi, de même que l’océan enfle avec une grande puissance au temps de la pleine lune, ainsi Bhīmasena s’élança en avant avec une vitesse prodigieuse. Tout près derrière lui venaient Satyadhriti, Ranadurmad, Sauchitti, Shreniman, Vasudana, Abhibhu fils du roi de Kāśī, Abhimanyu, les cinq fils maharathas de Draupadī, les vaillants Kshatradeva et Kshatradharma, et Nīla, roi du pays d’Anūpa — des héros pleinement confiants en leur propre force. Avec une vaste armée de chars, tous ces guerriers encerclèrent de toutes parts Ghaṭotkacha, fils de Hiḍimbā. »
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how collective resolve and coordinated action amplify strength in dharmic warfare: when many capable warriors unite with confidence and discipline, they can contain even a formidable opponent. The simile of the full-moon ocean underscores surging momentum—ethical force expressed as steadfast courage and duty on the battlefield.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Bhima charges forward with immense speed. A group of notable Pandava-aligned warriors—along with a large chariot host—then closes in from all directions to encircle Ghatotkacha, the powerful rakshasa-born son of Hidimba.