Shloka 84
गौरुडव्यूह-रचना तथा अर्धचन्द्र-प्रत्यव्यूह
Garuḍa Array and the Ardhacandra Counter-Formation
हाहाकारो महानासीत् पुत्राणां ते विशाम्पते । दृष्टवा शक्ति महाघोरां मृत्योर्दण्डसमप्रभाम्
sañjaya uvāca | hāhākāro mahān āsīt putrāṇāṃ te viśāmpate | dṛṣṭvā śaktiṃ mahāghorāṃ mṛtyor daṇḍa-samaprabhām ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai penguasa rakyat, ketika putra-putramu melihat tombak yang amat mengerikan itu—berkilau laksana tongkat Maut—mereka pun menjerit dalam kegemparan besar.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral gravity of war: when lethal power manifests, even proud warriors are confronted with the reality of death. It highlights how violence inevitably produces fear and lament, reminding rulers of the consequences that fall upon their own people.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a tremendous cry arose among the Kaurava princes as they saw a terrifying spear-like weapon, radiant like Death’s punitive staff, indicating a moment of panic and foreboding on the battlefield.