Shloka 23
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Duryodhana Dialogue on Peace and the Refusal of Compromise
सेनामुखे प्रयुद्धानां भीमसेनो भविष्यति । त॑ं सर्वे संश्रयिष्यन्ति प्राकारमकुतो भयम्
senāmukhe prayuddhānāṁ bhīmaseno bhaviṣyati | taṁ sarve saṁśrayiṣyanti prākāram akuto-bhayam ||
Di barisan terdepan pasukan, Bhīmasena akan bertempur paling depan. Semua kesatria akan berlindung padanya, memandangnya laksana benteng tanpa gentar—tembok perlindungan yang tak tertembus.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how collective morale in war often gathers around a single steadfast protector: a leader’s fearlessness can function like a fortress for others, shaping confidence and cohesion in a crisis.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparations and assessments of opposing strengths, Duryodhana describes the Pāṇḍava side, noting that Bhīma will stand at the forefront and that other fighters will rely on him as their protective bulwark.