Shloka 23
(पश्यस्व पश्यस्व विशोक मे त्व॑ बल॑ परेषामभिघातभिन्नम् । नानास्वरान् पश्य विमुच्य सर्वे तथा द्रवन्ते बलिनो धार्तराष्ट्रा: ।।
bhīmasena uvāca | paśyasva paśyasva viśoka me tvaṁ balaṁ pareṣām abhighātabhinnam | nānāsvarān paśya vimucya sarve tathā dravante balino dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ || īkṣasvaitāṁ bhāratīṁ dīryamāṇām ete kasmād vidravante narendrāḥ | vyaktaṁ dhīmān savyasācī narāgryaḥ sainyaṁ hotacchādayaty āśu bāṇaiḥ ||
Bhīma dit : «Regarde, Viśoka—regarde ma puissance. L’armée ennemie a été brisée par mes coups. Vois : tous les vaillants fils de Dhṛtarāṣṭra, poussant des clameurs aux accents divers, prennent la fuite. Porte tes yeux sur cette armée des Kaurava : elle se fend et se disloque à l’instant même. Pourquoi ces rois s’enfuient-ils ? Il est manifeste qu’Arjuna est arrivé—le sage, le premier des hommes, l’archer capable des deux mains ; c’est lui qui, d’un trait rapide, couvre le champ de bataille de ses flèches.»
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how courage and effective action can shift collective morale: a disciplined, powerful assault breaks an opposing force’s cohesion, while the arrival of a renowned protector (Arjuna) restores confidence and turns panic into strategic advantage. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness and responsibility in battle.
Bhīma addresses Viśoka, pointing out that his blows have shattered the enemy ranks and that Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s warriors are fleeing with cries. He then observes the Kaurava army splitting and infers that Arjuna has arrived, rapidly blanketing the battlefield with arrows.