Shloka 8
Adhyāya 104 — Śikhaṇḍin-puraskāraḥ (Śikhaṇḍin as Vanguard) and Bhīṣma’s Counter-Advance
अलम्बुषस्तु समरे अभिमन्युं महारथम् | विनद्य सुमहानादं तर्जयित्वा मुहुर्मुहु:
alambuṣas tu samare abhimanyuṁ mahāratham | vinadya sumahānādaṁ tarjayitvā muhur muhuḥ ||
Di tengah pertempuran, Alambuṣa menghadang Abhimanyu, sang mahāratha; dengan raungan yang amat dahsyat ia berulang kali menghardik dan mengancamnya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic: beyond weapons, warriors employ intimidation and provocation to unsettle an opponent. The implied virtue for the righteous fighter is steadiness—maintaining composure and discernment despite threats and loud displays meant to disturb one’s dharma-driven resolve.
Sañjaya reports that Alambuṣa, in the midst of combat, directly challenges Abhimanyu. He raises a thunderous battle-cry and repeatedly taunts/threatens him, attempting to dominate psychologically and draw him into a disadvantageous response.