Shloka 2
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 49: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Lament and Strategic Foreboding after Abhimanyu’s Fall
मारुतोद्धूतकेशान्तमुद्यतारिवरायुधम् । वपु: समीक्ष्य पृथ्वीशा दुःसमीक्ष्यं सुरैरपि
mārutoddhūtakeśāntam udyatārivarāyudham | vapuḥ samīkṣya pṛthvīśā duḥsamīkṣyaṃ surair api ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing that kingly warrior’s form—his hair-ends tossed by the wind and his excellent weapons raised aloft—the rulers of the earth beheld a sight so formidable that even the gods would find it hard to look upon. The verse underscores how, in the moral chaos of war, sheer martial splendor and wrath can become awe-inspiring yet ominous, eclipsing ordinary human courage.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the outward force of martial power—wind-tossed hair, weapons raised, a blazing presence—can overwhelm even seasoned rulers. Ethically, it hints at war’s capacity to magnify wrath and spectacle, producing fear and awe that can cloud judgment and compassion.
Sañjaya describes a warrior’s terrifying, battle-ready appearance. The kings watching him are struck by the sight, which is said to be difficult to behold even for the gods—signaling an escalation of intensity and dread on the battlefield.