Shloka 65
पञज्चाला विगतोत्साहा भीमसेनपुरोगमा: । परंतु रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ महारथी कृतवर्मके पास पहुँचकर भीमसेनको आगे करके आक्रमण करनेवाले पांचालोंका उत्साह नष्ट हो गया || ६४ $ ।। विक्रम्य वारिता राजन् वीरेण कृतवर्मणा,राजन्! वीर कृतवर्मने पराक्रम करके उनको रोक दिया। वे सभी वीर कुछ-कुछ शिथिल एवं अचेत-से हो रहे थे तो भी अपनी विजयके लिये प्रयत्नशील थे; परंतु कृतवर्मानि सब ओरसे उनके ऊपर बाणसमूहोंकी वर्षा करके उनके वाहनोंको व्याकुल कर दिया
Pañcālā vigatotsāhā Bhīmasena-purogamāḥ | parantu rathīnāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ mahārathī Kṛtavarmaṇam upetya Bhīmasenam agre kṛtvā ākramaṇe pravṛttānāṃ Pañcālānām utsāho naṣṭaḥ || 64 || vikramya vāritā rājan vīreṇa Kṛtavarmaṇā | te sarve vīrāḥ kiñcit-kiñcit śithilāḥ acetasa iva abhavan, tathāpi svavijayāya yatamānāḥ; Kṛtavarmā tu sarvataḥ teṣāṃ śaraugha-varṣeṇa vāhanāni vyākulayām āsa || 65 ||
Sañjaya said: The Pañcālas, with Bhīmasena at their head, had their ardour broken. For when they advanced—placing Bhīma in front—to attack the foremost of chariot-warriors, the great charioteer Kṛtavarmā, their confidence collapsed. O King, that valiant Kṛtavarmā, displaying prowess, checked them. Though those heroes became somewhat slack and dazed, they still strove for victory; but Kṛtavarmā, showering volleys of arrows from every side, threw their mounts and vehicles into confusion.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how morale and disciplined resistance can decide a battle’s flow: even a strong assault led by a famed hero falters when met by a steadfast, skillful defender who disrupts the enemy’s coordination. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya ideal of perseverance and tactical restraint—victory is not only strength but steadiness under pressure.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pañcālas, advancing with Bhīma in front to strike Kṛtavarmā, lose their enthusiasm when Kṛtavarmā checks them. Though the Pañcāla warriors become shaken and somewhat dazed, they still try to win; Kṛtavarmā counters by raining arrows from all sides, throwing their chariots and mounts into confusion.