Shloka 38
Somadatta’s Kṣātra-Dharma Accusation; Night Combat, Māyā, and the Fall of Ghaṭotkaca
Droṇa-parva, Adhyāya 131
गाज्डीवं व्याक्षिपत् पार्थ: कृष्णो5प्यन्जमवादयत् । तमन्तर्धाय निनदं भीमस्य नदतो ध्वनि: । अश्रूयत तदा राजन सर्वसैन्येषु दारुण:,इसी समय अर्जुनने गाण्डीव धनुषकी टंकार की और भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने पांचजन्य शंख बजाया। परंतु उसकी ध्वनिको तिरोहित करके गरजते हुए भीमसेनका भयंकर सिंहनाद सम्पूर्ण सेनाओंमें सुनायी देने लगा
sañjaya uvāca |
gāṇḍīvaṃ vyākṣipat pārthaḥ kṛṣṇo 'py añjam avādayat |
tam antardhāya ninadaṃ bhīmasya nadato dhvaniḥ |
aśrūyata tadā rājan sarvasainyeṣu dāruṇaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Arjuna, son of Pṛthā, twanged the Gāṇḍīva, and Kṛṣṇa too promptly sounded the conch Pāñcajanya. Yet, overpowering that sound, the dreadful roar of Bhīma—bellowing like a lion—was then heard, O King, throughout all the armies. The scene underscores how inner resolve and righteous fury can eclipse even the most celebrated martial signals, intensifying the moral and psychological pressure of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical-psychological dimension of dharmic war: righteous determination and fearless resolve (embodied by Bhīma’s roar) can dominate the battlefield’s morale, even surpassing renowned martial signals. It suggests that inner force and commitment to one’s duty can become the most compelling ‘sound’ in a crisis.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna twangs his bow Gāṇḍīva and Kṛṣṇa sounds the conch Pāñcajanya; immediately, Bhīma’s terrifying lion-like roar rises and is heard across all the armies, drowning out the other sounds and heightening the intensity of the moment.