Shloka 50
अभिमन्यु–अलम्बुसयुद्धम् / The Duel of Abhimanyu and Alambusa
with Arjuna’s approach to Bhīṣma
एवं तव बल सर्व हैडिम्बेन दुरात्मना । सूर्यास्तमनवेलायां प्रभग्नं विद्रुतं दिश:
evaṁ tava balaṁ sarvaṁ haiḍimbenā durātmanā | sūryāstamanavelāyāṁ prabhagnaṁ vidrutaṁ diśaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Demikianlah, pada waktu matahari terbenam, seluruh kekuatan tuanku dihancurkan dan dipukul lari oleh Haiḍimba (Ghaṭotkaca) yang kejam, lalu berselerak ke segala arah.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Military power without steadiness and right judgment is fragile; when fear spreads, even a vast army can collapse. The verse highlights the ethical and psychological dimension of war—morale and inner resolve often decide outcomes as much as weapons.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that at sunset Ghaṭotkaca (called Haiḍimba) has broken the Kaurava forces, causing them to flee in all directions, amid the tumult of battle sounds.