Shloka 35
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
पश्यतो वासुदेवस्य पार्थस्याथ शिखण्डिन: । उनकी बाण-वर्षासे संतप्त हो पाण्डवोंकी वह महती सेना श्रीकृष्ण, अर्जुन और शिखण्डीके देखते-देखते काँपने लगी || ३४ इ ।। वर्तमाना5पि ते वीरा द्रवमाणान् महारथान्
paśyato vāsudevasya pārthasyātha śikhaṇḍinaḥ | vṛtamānā api te vīrā dravamāṇān mahārathān ||
Sañjaya said: Even as Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa), Pārtha (Arjuna), and Śikhaṇḍin looked on, those heroes—great chariot-warriors—were seen breaking and fleeing. Under the scorching shower of arrows, the mighty host began to tremble before their very eyes, revealing how fear and moral collapse can spread through an army when confronted by resolute leadership and overwhelming force.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how morale and steadfastness are tested in war: even renowned heroes can falter when faced with relentless pressure. Ethically, it underscores the importance of inner firmness (dhairya) and disciplined duty (kṣatriya-dharma), since fear can rapidly destabilize a collective.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that, in the sight of Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna, and Śikhaṇḍī, the opposing great chariot-warriors begin to break formation and flee, shaken by an intense barrage of arrows and the visible dominance of the Pāṇḍava side.