Shloka 786
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
स्वरथं पृष्ठतः कृत्वा युद्धायैव व्यवस्थित: । धनुष कट जाने तथा रथहीन होनेपर भी स्वधर्मका पालन करते हुए भीमसेन अपने रथको पीछे करके युद्धके लिये ही खड़े रहे
svarathaṃ pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā yuddhāyaiva vyavasthitaḥ |
Sañjaya dit : Ayant tourné son propre char vers l’arrière, il demeura résolu, prêt à combattre seul. Bien que son arc fût tranché et qu’il se trouvât sans char, Bhimasena, fidèle au dharma du guerrier, resta debout sans choisir la retraite.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast adherence to svadharma (one’s rightful duty): even when circumstances are unfavorable, a warrior upholds responsibility and moral resolve rather than yielding to fear or confusion.
Sañjaya describes a combatant repositioning his own chariot to the rear and then standing prepared for battle, emphasizing determined readiness and refusal to abandon the fight.