Shloka 19
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
अथाभ्येहित्वमागच्छ कि भीतो$सि क्व यास्यसि । स्थितो5हं समरे मा भैरिति चान्ये विचुक्रुशु:,दूसरे सैनिक यों चिल्ला रहे थे--“अरे आओ, मेरे पास आओ, क्यों डरे हुए हो? कहाँ जाओगे? मैं संग्राममें डटा हुआ हूँ। तुम भय न करो”
athābhyetvaṁ māgaccha kiṁ bhīto ’si kva yāsyasi | sthito ’haṁ samare mā bhair iti cānye vicukruśuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then others shouted, “Come here—do not run away! Why are you afraid? Where will you go? I am standing firm in the battle; do not fear.” In the press of war, such cries reveal the soldiers’ attempt to steady wavering hearts and uphold the duty of not abandoning one’s post.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a dharma-framed war narrative, fear is countered by steadfastness: one should not abandon one’s station out of panic, and courage is reinforced through mutual exhortation—“do not fear; stand firm.”
Sañjaya reports that amid the battle, some fighters call out to others who seem to be retreating, urging them to come close, stop fleeing, and take heart because comrades are holding their ground in the fight.