Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
व्यवस्थिता: प्रतिव्यूह्मृ तव पुत्रस्य वाहिनीम् । ग्रसन्त इव मज्जा नो योधानां भरतर्षभ,इस प्रकार युद्धसे आनन्दित होनेवाले पुरुष-सिंह पाण्डव आपके पुत्रकी वाहिनीके सामने व्यूह बनाकर खड़े थे और हमारे योद्धाओंकी रक्त और मज्जा भी सुखाये देते थे। गदाधारी भीमसेनको आगे खड़ा देख हमारी सारी सेना भयभीत हो रही थी
sañjaya uvāca |
vyavasthitāḥ prativyūhya tava putrasya vāhinīm |
grasanta iva majjā no yodhānāṁ bharatarṣabha ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai banteng keturunan Bharata, para wira Pāṇḍava, yang bersorak gembira dalam perang, berdiri tersusun dalam formasi balas di hadapan bala tentera puteramu. Mereka seakan-akan menelan hingga ke sumsum para pahlawan kita—mengeringkan tenaga dan tekad. Tatkala terlihat Bhīmasena, si pemegang gada, tegak di barisan hadapan, seluruh angkatan kita pun dikuasai ketakutan.”
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how dharma-yuddha is not only physical combat but also discipline, formation, and morale: righteous resolve and strategic order can break an opponent’s spirit, while fear spreads quickly when leadership and confidence falter.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍavas have taken up a counter-formation facing Duryodhana’s army. Their aggressive stance is described as ‘devouring the marrow’ of the Kaurava warriors, and the sight of Bhīma at the front causes widespread fear in the Kaurava ranks.