Shloka 816
भीमसेनस्य बहुमहारथसंयुगः
Bhīmasena’s Engagement with Multiple Mahārathas
वीक्षांचक्रुमहाराज पाण्डवा भयपीडिता: । महाराज! भीष्मके द्वारा मारे जाते हुए सैकड़ों और हजारों पाण्डव सैनिक समरमें अलौकिक पराक्रम प्रकट करनेवाले भीष्मको भयसे पीड़ित होकर देख रहे थे
vīkṣāṃ cakrur mahārāja pāṇḍavā bhayapīḍitāḥ |
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai raja agung, para pahlawan Pāṇḍava, dihimpit ketakutan, hanya memandang—tatkala ratusan dan ribuan orang mereka ditewaskan oleh Bhīṣma, yang keperkasaannya di medan perang tampak seakan-akan melampaui manusia. Adegan ini menunjukkan bahawa bahkan pejuang yang benar pun boleh tergoncang apabila berhadapan kuasa tempur yang mengatasi segalanya, dan ketakutan merebak dalam bala tentera apabila para pelindung gugur beramai-ramai.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral-psychological truth within dharma-yuddha: even those fighting for a righteous cause can be overwhelmed by fear when confronted with extraordinary force and heavy losses. It implicitly points to the need for steadiness, discipline, and leadership to prevent fear from collapsing collective resolve.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍava side is watching in fear as Bhīṣma, displaying exceptional prowess, cuts down their troops in vast numbers on the battlefield.