Shloka 23
Adhyāya 112: Bhīṣma-prati Arjunasya Pravṛttiḥ
Arjuna’s Forward Drive Toward Bhīṣma
ऋते त्वां पुरुषव्याप्र देवतुल्यपराक्रम । पर्याप्तस्तु भवाज्शीघ्रं पीडितानां गतिर्भव,“भारत! इन सब महारथियोंद्वारा मारी जाती हुई अपनी सेनाको मैं युद्धमें ठहरानेके लिये आपके सिवा दूसरा कोई आश्रय नहीं देखता। देवतुल्य पराक्रमी पुरुषसिंह! केवल आप ही उसकी रक्षामें समर्थ हैं। अतः हम पीड़ितोंके लिये आप शीघ्र ही आश्रयदाता होइये'
ṛte tvāṃ puruṣavyāghra devatulyaparākrama | paryāptaḥ tu bhavān śīghraṃ pīḍitānāṃ gatir bhava ||
Sañjaya said: “O tiger among men, whose prowess is like that of the gods—apart from you I see no other refuge to steady our army as it is being cut down by these great chariot-warriors. You alone are sufficient to protect it. Therefore, be quickly the shelter and saving course for us who are hard-pressed.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a moment of military collapse, Sañjaya frames effective leadership as becoming the 'gati'—the refuge and decisive recourse—for those who are afflicted. The verse highlights the ethical expectation that the most capable person should promptly assume protective responsibility when others are suffering.
Sañjaya reports that the Kaurava army is being devastated by powerful warriors. He urges the addressed leader to act immediately, declaring that apart from him there is no other support capable of holding the army together and protecting the distressed troops.