Shloka 4
बालश्न बालबुद्धिश्न सौभद्र: परवीरहा । अनुपायेन संग्रामे युध्यमानो विशेषत:,'शत्रुवीरोंका संहार करनेवाला अभिमन्यु अभी बालक था; बालोचित बुद्धिसे युक्त था। विशेषत: संग्राममें वह उपयुक्त साधनोंसे रहित होकर युद्ध कर रहा था
sañjaya uvāca |
bālaś ca bālabuddhiś ca saubhadraḥ paravīrahā |
anupāyena saṅgrāme yudhyamāno viśeṣataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “Saubhadra (Abhimanyu)—still a mere boy, and possessed of a boy’s understanding—was nonetheless a slayer of enemy heroes. Yet, in this battle, he was fighting in a particularly disadvantaged way, lacking the proper means and support.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war: extraordinary valor can coexist with vulnerability. Abhimanyu’s heroism is acknowledged, yet the narration stresses that he fought without adequate means or support—inviting reflection on fairness, protection of the young, and the moral weight of exploiting an opponent’s disadvantage.
Sañjaya describes Abhimanyu (Saubhadra) as very young but capable of killing enemy champions. At this point in the battle, however, he is fighting under especially unfavorable conditions—without the appropriate strategy, resources, or backing—setting the tone for the peril he faces.