Shloka 24
भीष्मस्य अप्रतिमपराक्रमः — शिखण्डिपुरस्कृतः प्रहारः
Bhīṣma’s unmatched momentum and the assault with Śikhaṇḍin in the lead
अभ्यद्रवन्त संदह्ृष्टा गाज़ेयस्य रथं प्रति । सेनापतिका यह वचन सुनकर पाण्डव महारथी अत्यन्त हर्षमें भरकर गंगानन्दन भीष्मके रथपर टूट पड़े ।। आगच्छमानान् समरे वार्योघान् प्रलयानिव
sañjaya uvāca | abhyadravanta saṃhṛṣṭā gāṅgeyasya rathaṃ prati | āgacchamānān samare vāryoghān pralayān iva ||
Sañjaya berkata: Mendengar kata-kata itu, para maharatha Pāṇḍava, dipenuhi kegirangan, meluru terus ke arah kereta perang Bhīṣma, putera Gaṅgā. Dalam hiruk-pikuk pertempuran mereka menerpa bagaikan banjir besar yang melanda pada saat pralaya—gambaran yang menegaskan momentum ganas perang dan bahaya semangat tempur yang tidak terkawal.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the intoxicating surge of martial enthusiasm in war and implicitly warns of its destructive potential through the simile of pralaya-like floods. It frames kṣatriya valor as powerful yet perilous when driven by exhilaration rather than measured restraint.
After hearing a prior statement (contextually, a command or provocation in the battle account), the Pāṇḍava maharathas become highly energized and charge toward Bhīṣma (Gāṅgeya) and his chariot, advancing with overwhelming force likened to catastrophic floodwaters.