Shloka 138
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
स्वबाहुवीर्येण जिता: सभीष्मा: किरीटिना लोकमहारथेन । “श्रुतायु, राजा अम्बष्ठपति, दुर्मर्षण, चित्रसेन, द्रोण, कृप, जयद्रथ, बाह्लिक, भूरिश्रवा, शल्य और शल--ये तथा और भी सैकड़ों योद्धा क्रोधमें भरे हुए लोकमहारथी, किरीटधारी कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनके द्वारा रणभूमिमें अपनी ही भुजाओंके पराक्रमसे भीष्मसहित परास्त किये गये हैं! | १३६-१३७ ह ।। इति ब्रुवन्त: शिवबिराणि जमग्मुः सर्वे गणा भारत ये त्वदीया:,भारत! उपर्युक्त बातें कहते हुए आपके समस्त सैनिक सहस्रों जलती हुई मसालें तथा प्रकाशमान दीपोंके उजालेमें अपने-अपने शिबिरमें गये। कौरवसेनाके सम्पूर्ण सैनिकोंपर अर्जुनका त्रास छा रहा था। इसी अवस्थामें उस सेनाने रातमें विश्राम किया
sañjaya uvāca |
svabāhuvīryeṇa jitāḥ sabhīṣmāḥ kirīṭinā lokamahārathena |
śrutāyu rājā ambaṣṭhapatiḥ durmarṣaṇaḥ citrasenaḥ droṇaḥ kṛpaḥ jayadrathaḥ bāhlikaḥ bhūriśravāḥ śalyaḥ śalaś ca—ete tathā anye’pi saikadā yoddhāḥ krodhena bharitā lokamahārathinaḥ kirīṭadhāriṇā kuntīkumarārjunena raṇabhūmau svabāhuparākramena bhīṣmasahitaṃ parājitāḥ |
iti bruvantaḥ śibirāṇi jagmuḥ sarve gaṇā bhārata ye tvadīyāḥ |
bhārata! uparyuktāḥ kathāḥ vadantaḥ tava samastāḥ sainikāḥ sahasraśo jvalitābhir maśālabhiḥ prakāśamānaiś ca dīpair ujjvaliteṣu (pradīpteṣu) sva-sva-śibireṣu jagmuḥ | kauravasenāyāḥ samasteṣu sainikeṣu arjunasya trāsaḥ channaḥ | evaṃ sthitāyāṃ tasyāṃ senāyāṃ rātrau viśrāmaḥ kṛtaḥ |
Sanjaya said: “By the sheer might of his own arms, the diadem-wearing Arjuna—foremost of the world’s great chariot-warriors—has defeated them all, Bhishma included. ‘Shrutayu, King Ambashthapati, Durmarshana, Chitrasena, Drona, Kripa, Jayadratha, Bahlika, Bhurishravas, Shalya, Shala—and many hundreds besides—great champions, inflamed with anger—have been overcome on the battlefield by Kunti’s son Arjuna, crowned with his diadem, through his own prowess, even while Bhishma stood among them.’ Speaking thus, all your troops, O Bharata, returned to their respective camps. In the light of thousands of blazing torches and shining lamps they withdrew, and a dread of Arjuna spread over the entire Kaurava host. In that condition the army rested for the night.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how personal prowess and steadfastness in one’s warrior-duty can decisively affect the moral-psychological state of an army: Arjuna’s valor not only defeats renowned champions but also spreads fear and lowers Kaurava morale, showing that ethical resolve and disciplined strength shape outcomes beyond mere numbers.
Sanjaya reports that Arjuna, identified by his diadem, has routed many named Kaurava champions—Bhishma among them. The Kaurava soldiers, repeating this news, withdraw to their camps by torchlight and lamplight, and the entire host is gripped by fear of Arjuna as they rest for the night.