Shloka 53
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
ततो<पायान्नूपस्तत्र भीमसेनस्यथ गोचरात्
tato 'pāyān nṛpo 's tatra bhīmasenasyātha gocarāt | tataḥ rājā duryodhanaḥ bhīmasenasya mārgeṇa dūrataḥ apākrāmat | atha sarvā kaurava-senā bhīmasenam abhyapatat | bhīmasena-vadha-kāṅkṣayā āgatānāṃ kauravāṇāṃ mahān siṃhanādaḥ sarvato 'nunāditaḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Alors le roi se retira de là, hors de la portée de Bhīmasena ; Duryodhana s’écarta, se tenant loin de la route de Bhīma. Aussitôt, toute l’armée des Kaurava se rua sur Bhīmasena. Désireux de le tuer, les Kaurava poussèrent un formidable rugissement de lion qui retentit de toutes parts—image d’une agression collective et d’une éthique guerrière : accabler un seul adversaire redoutable par l’assaut en masse plutôt que de l’affronter à forces égales.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear of a powerful opponent can lead leaders to avoid direct engagement and instead rely on massed force. Ethically, it contrasts personal valor with collective aggression, showing how adharma can manifest as opportunistic tactics driven by the desire to eliminate a single threat.
Duryodhana moves out of Bhīma’s immediate reach and away from his path. Then the Kaurava army collectively charges Bhīma, shouting a thunderous battle-cry, indicating a coordinated attempt to overwhelm and kill him.