Shloka 45
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
व्यवस्थिता: प्रतिव्यूह्मृ तव पुत्रस्य वाहिनीम् । ग्रसन्त इव मज्जा नो योधानां भरतर्षभ
sañjaya uvāca |
vyavasthitāḥ prativyūhya tava putrasya vāhinīm |
grasanta iva majjā no yodhānāṁ bharatarṣabha ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai yang termulia di antara bangsa Bharata, para pahlawan Pāṇḍava—laksana singa di antara manusia, bersukacita dalam perang—berdiri tersusun dalam formasi tandingan di hadapan bala tentara putramu. Mereka tampak seolah-olah melahap darah dan sumsum para prajurit kita, mengeringkan kekuatan serta keteguhan hati mereka. Melihat Bhīmasena, sang pemegang gada, berdiri di barisan depan, seluruh pasukan kita diliputi ketakutan.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how dharma-yuddha is not only physical combat but also discipline, formation, and morale: righteous resolve and strategic order can break an opponent’s spirit, while fear spreads quickly when leadership and confidence falter.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍavas have taken up a counter-formation facing Duryodhana’s army. Their aggressive stance is described as ‘devouring the marrow’ of the Kaurava warriors, and the sight of Bhīma at the front causes widespread fear in the Kaurava ranks.