Shloka 12
अनीकव्यूहप्रतिव्यूहः
Counter-deployment of Divisions and the Opening Tumult
स भीमसेन: सहितो यमाशभ्यां वृकोदरो वीररथस्य गोप्ता । तं तत्र सिंहर्षभमत्तखेलं लोके महेन्द्रप्रतिमानकल्पम्
sa bhīmasenaḥ sahito yamābhyāṁ vṛkodaro vīrarathasya goptā | taṁ tatra siṁharṣabhamattakhelaṁ loke mahendrapratimānakalpam ||
サンジャヤは言った。ビーマセーナ—ヴリコーダラ—は、ヤマの双子の子（ナクラとサハデーヴァ）と共に、勇将ドリシュタデュムナを守っていた。軍の先頭に彼が立つのを見て—狂える獅子や牡牛のごとく戦を「戯れ」として弄び、象王のように誇りと力を膨らませ、武威はインドラに比すべき—汝の兵は恐怖に揺さぶられ、泥に嵌った象のようにもがき苦しんだ。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya duty of protection and steadfastness in battle: a leader’s courage and visible commitment to guarding comrades can uphold one side’s resolve while breaking the other side’s morale. Ethically, it frames strength as responsibility—Bhīma’s power is shown in service to protecting Dhṛṣṭadyumna and supporting his brothers.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma, accompanied by Nakula and Sahadeva, stationed at the army’s front to protect Dhṛṣṭadyumna. Bhīma’s ferocious, Indra-like presence terrifies the opposing soldiers, who become distressed like elephants trapped in mud.