Shloka 12

दुःशासन-सहदेव-संक्षोभः; भीम-राधेय-गदायुद्धम्; द्रोण-पार्थ-अस्त्रसंग्रामः

Duhshasana–Sahadeva Clash; Bhima–Karna Mace Exchange; Drona–Arjuna Astra Duel

Devanagari script

पश्यतो भीमसेनस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मन: । द्रोणाचार्युकी मार खाकर भीमसेन और महात्मा अर्जुनके देखते-देखते पांचाल-सैनिक भयके मारे भागने लगे ।। ततः किरीटी भीमश्न सहसा संन्यवर्तताम्‌

Transliteration

paśyato bhīmasenasya pārthasya ca mahātmanaḥ | droṇācāryukī mār khākar bhīmasena aura mahātmā arjunake dekhate-dekhate pāñcāla-sainik bhayake māre bhāgane lage || tataḥ kirīṭī bhīmaś ca sahasā saṃnyavartatām ||

Translation

Before the very eyes of Bhīmasena and the noble Pārtha (Arjuna), the Pāñcāla troops—having been struck down and routed by Droṇācārya—began to flee in terror. Then, Kiriṭin (Arjuna) and Bhīma suddenly turned back, checking their movement to respond to the crisis.

Word by Word

• पश्यतः: while (he) was seeing / in the sight of
• पश्यतः: Adhikarana
• Type: Verb
• Root: पश्यत् (√दृश्)
• Form: present (vartamāna), parasmaipada, śatṛ (present active participle), masculine, genitive, singular

• भीमसेनस्य: of Bhīmasena
• भीमसेनस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीमसेन
• Form: masculine, genitive, singular

• पार्थस्य: of Pārtha (Arjuna)
• पार्थस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थ
• Form: masculine, genitive, singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled (one)
• महात्मनः: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन्
• Form: masculine, genitive, singular

• ततः: then / thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• किरीटी: the diadem-wearer (Arjuna)
• किरीटी: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: किरीटिन्
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• भीमसेनः: Bhīmasena
• भीमसेनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीमसेन
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• सहसा: suddenly / at once
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सहसा

• संन्यवर्तताम्: the two turned back / withdrew
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + नि + √वृत्
• Form: imperfect (laṅ), 3rd, dual, ātmanepada

Speaker

संयज उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīmasena (Bhīma)
• Pārtha (Arjuna)
• Kiriṭin (Arjuna)
• Droṇācārya (Droṇa)
• Pāñcāla troops

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical demand of kṣātra-dharma: leaders must not be passive spectators when allies collapse in fear. Seeing panic and rout, Arjuna and Bhīma immediately turn back—modeling responsibility, steadiness, and protective leadership amid chaos.

What is happening in the narrative?

Droṇa’s assault causes the Pāñcāla soldiers to break ranks and flee in terror, even as Bhīma and Arjuna witness it. In response, Arjuna (Kiriṭin) and Bhīma abruptly turn back, indicating a quick tactical and moral decision to confront the threat and stabilize their side.