Shloka 12
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 2: Karṇa’s lament, vow, and battle preparation after Bhīṣma’s fall
निपातिते शान्तनवे महारथे दिवाकरे भूतलमास्थिते यथा । न पार्थिवा: सोढुमलं धनंजयं गिरिप्रवोढारमिवानिल द्रुमा:,“महारथी शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मका रणमें गिराया जाना सूर्यके आकाशसे गिरकर पृथ्वीपर आ पड़नेके समान है। यह हो जानेपर समस्त भूपाल अर्जुनका वेग सहन करनेमें असमर्थ हैं, जैसे पर्वतोंको भी ढोनेवाले वायुका वेग साधारण वृक्ष नहीं सह सकते हैं
nipātite śāntanave mahārathe divākare bhūtalam āsthite yathā | na pārthivāḥ soḍhum alam dhanañjayaṃ giripravodhāram ivānila-drumāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “When the great chariot-warrior Bhīṣma, son of Śāntanu, is struck down, it is like the sun itself falling from the sky and coming to rest upon the earth. After that, the kings are no longer able to endure Dhanañjaya (Arjuna); just as ordinary trees cannot withstand the force of the wind that can even carry mountains.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the fall of a central pillar of strength (Bhīṣma) collapses collective confidence and resistance; it underscores the ethical and strategic reality that morale and perceived legitimacy of power can shift decisively in war when a revered protector is removed.
Sañjaya describes to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the immense impact of Bhīṣma being brought down in battle: it is compared to the sun falling to earth, and it implies that thereafter the assembled kings cannot withstand Arjuna’s force, just as ordinary trees cannot endure a mountain-bearing wind.