Shloka 34
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
तमर्कमिव दुष्प्रेक्ष्य तपनन्तमिव वाहिनीम् । न शेकुः सर्वयोधास्ते प्रतिवीक्षितुमन्तिके
tam arkam iva duṣprekṣya tapanantam iva vāhinīm | na śekuḥ sarvayodhās te prativīkṣitum antike ||
Mereka sukar dipandang bagaikan matahari, seolah membakar pasukanmu dengan panas yang menyala. Ketika mereka mendekat, tak seorang pun dari para kesatria itu sanggup mengangkat mata untuk menatap mereka dari dekat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how overwhelming power and moral-psychological dominance can break an opponent’s resolve even before physical contact—suggesting that in war, inner steadiness and courage are as decisive as weapons.
Sañjaya describes a fearsome warrior or force advancing so brilliantly and intensely that the opposing soldiers cannot bear to look at him closely; his approach seems to ‘burn’ or oppress the army, signaling panic and loss of confidence.