Shloka 19
Chapter 89: Bhīma dispatched to protect Ghaṭotkaca amid escalating engagements
तर्जयानं रणे वीरांस्त्रासयानं च सायकै: । दृष्टवा त्रेसुर्महाराज सिंहं मृगगणा इव,महाराज! वे रणभूमिमें वीरोंको डाँटते और बाणोंके द्वारा उन्हें त्रास देते थे। जैसे मृगोंके समूह सिंहको देखकर डर जाते हैं, उसी प्रकार सब राजा भीष्मको देखकर भयभीत हो गये
tarjayan raṇe vīrāṁs trāsayan ca sāyakaiḥ | dṛṣṭvā tretusur mahārāja siṁhaṁ mṛgagaṇā iva ||
Wahai Maharaja! Di medan laga ia menegur para kesatria dan menakut-nakuti mereka dengan anak panahnya. Melihatnya, para raja pun gentar—laksana kawanan rusa gemetar ketika menyaksikan singa.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how moral authority, experience, and prowess in a dharmic commander can shape the battlefield not only through weapons but through psychological dominance—fear and morale become decisive forces alongside physical strength.
Sañjaya describes Bhīṣma on the battlefield: he chastises opposing warriors and harasses them with arrows. Seeing him, the kings tremble, compared to deer frightened by a lion.