Shloka 26
भीष्मरक्षण-उद्योगः, शिखण्डि-विवर्जनं, सर्वतोभद्र-व्यूहः
Protection of Bhīṣma, Exemption of Śikhaṇḍin, and the Sarvatobhadra Array
आततायिनमायान्तं प्रेक्ष्य राक्षससत्तम: । नाकम्पत महाबाहुर्मैनाक इव पर्वत:,युद्धमें आततायी दुर्योधनको आते देख राक्षसशिरोमणि महाबाहु घटोत्कच मैनाक पर्वतकी भाँति अविचलभावसे खड़ा रहा
ātātāyinam āyāntaṃ prekṣya rākṣasasattamaḥ | nākampata mahābāhur ghaṭotkacaḥ maināka iva parvataḥ ||
Sanjaya said: Seeing the aggressor Duryodhana advancing in battle, the foremost of the rākṣasas—mighty-armed Ghaṭotkaca—did not tremble at all, standing firm like Mount Maināka. The verse highlights steadfast courage in the face of an approaching wrongdoer, presenting fearlessness and resolve as decisive virtues amid the moral chaos of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores unwavering steadiness when confronting an aggressor (ātātāyin). In the ethical frame of the epic, fearlessness and firmness are portrayed as essential warrior-virtues, especially when facing those marked by wrongful aggression.
On the battlefield, Duryodhana advances as an attacker. Ghaṭotkaca, described as the foremost among rākṣasas and mighty-armed, watches him approach and remains completely unshaken—likened to the immovable Mount Maināka.