भीष्मशिबिरगमनम् — Duryodhana’s Visit to Bhīṣma’s Camp and the Command Appeal
पुरतोडपि च पृष्ठे च पार्श्वयोश्व भूशाहतः । एको बहुभिरत्यर्थ धैर्याद् राजन् न विव्यथे
purato 'pi ca pṛṣṭhe ca pārśvayoś ca bhūśāhataḥ | eko bahubhir atyarthaṁ dhairyād rājan na vivyathe ||
आगे-पीछे और दोनों पार्श्वों से आहत होकर भी—अकेला होते हुए, बहुतों से घिरा—वह धैर्य के कारण, हे राजन्, तनिक भी विचलित न हुआ।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights dhairya (steadfast courage): even when surrounded and wounded, one should not lose composure. Ethically, it praises inner firmness and disciplined endurance amid adversity, a valued kṣatriya virtue in the Mahābhārata’s war narrative.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra about a warrior who, though alone and attacked by many from all sides, is badly wounded yet remains unshaken. The line emphasizes the intensity of the assault and the warrior’s unwavering resolve.