Shloka 80
भीमसेनस्य बहुमहारथसंयुगः
Bhīmasena’s Engagement with Multiple Mahārathas
निरीक्षितुं न शेकुस्ते भीष्ममप्रतिमं रणे । मध्यंगतमिवादित्यं प्रतपन्तं स्वतेजसा,घायल होकर भागे हुए सैनिक उत्साहशून्य और अचेत हो रहे थे। वे रणक्षेत्रमें अनुपम वीर भीष्मजीकी ओर आँख उठाकर देख भी न सके, ठीक उसी तरह, जैसे दोपहरमें अपने तेजसे तपते हुए सूर्यकी ओर कोई भी देख नहीं पाता
sañjaya uvāca | nirīkṣituṁ na śekus te bhīṣmam apratimaṁ raṇe | madhyaṁgatam ivādityaṁ pratapantaṁ svatejasā ||
Sañjaya said: Those warriors could not even raise their eyes to look at Bhīṣma, unrivalled in battle. He blazed with his own splendor like the sun at midday—so that, struck down and fleeing, the soldiers became spiritless and senseless, unable to face him.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how true martial excellence (tejas) can overwhelm opponents psychologically: when courage collapses, even seeing the formidable warrior becomes impossible. It also underscores the kṣatriya ideal that inner radiance—discipline, prowess, and resolve—can decide the moral and emotional tenor of battle.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield effect of Bhīṣma’s dominance: the opposing soldiers, already wounded and retreating, lose heart and awareness, and cannot even look toward him—just as no one can stare at the blazing midday sun.