Shloka 23
(पश्यस्व पश्यस्व विशोक मे त्व॑ बल॑ परेषामभिघातभिन्नम् । नानास्वरान् पश्य विमुच्य सर्वे तथा द्रवन्ते बलिनो धार्तराष्ट्रा: ।।) विशोक! देखो, देखो, मेरा बल। मेरे आघातोंसे शत्रुओंकी सेना विदीर्ण हो उठी है। देखो, धृतराष्ट्रके सभी बलवान पुत्र नाना प्रकारके आर्तनाद करते हुए भागने लगे हैं। ईक्षस्वैतां भारतीं दीर्यमाणा- मेते कस्माद् विद्रवन्ते नरेन्द्रा: । व्यक्त धीमान् सव्यसाची नराग्रय: सैन्यं होतच्छादयत्याशु बाणै:,सारथे! इस कौरव-सेनापर तो दृष्टिपात करो। इसमें भी दरार पड़ती जा रही है। ये राजालोग क्यों भाग रहे हैं? इससे तो स्पष्ट जान पड़ता है कि बुद्धिमान् नरश्रेष्ठ अर्जुन आ गये। वे ही अपने बाणोंद्वारा शीघ्रता-पूर्वक इस सेनाको आच्छादित कर रहे हैं
bhīmasena uvāca | paśyasva paśyasva viśoka me tvaṁ balaṁ pareṣām abhighātabhinnam | nānāsvarān paśya vimucya sarve tathā dravante balino dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ || īkṣasvaitāṁ bhāratīṁ dīryamāṇām ete kasmād vidravante narendrāḥ | vyaktaṁ dhīmān savyasācī narāgryaḥ sainyaṁ hotacchādayaty āśu bāṇaiḥ ||
Bhīma said: “Look, Viśoka—look at my strength. The enemy host has been shattered by my blows. See how all the mighty sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, crying out in many different tones, are fleeing. Cast your eyes upon this Kaurava army: it is splitting apart even now. Why are these kings running? It is clear that the wise, foremost of men—Arjuna, the ambidextrous archer—has arrived; he is swiftly covering the battlefield with his arrows.”
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how courage and effective action can shift collective morale: a disciplined, powerful assault breaks an opposing force’s cohesion, while the arrival of a renowned protector (Arjuna) restores confidence and turns panic into strategic advantage. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness and responsibility in battle.
Bhīma addresses Viśoka, pointing out that his blows have shattered the enemy ranks and that Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s warriors are fleeing with cries. He then observes the Kaurava army splitting and infers that Arjuna has arrived, rapidly blanketing the battlefield with arrows.