Shloka 4
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
भवन्तं समुपश्रित्य वासुदेवं यथा परै: । पाण्डवैर्विग्रहो घोर: समारब्धो मया प्रभो
sañjaya uvāca |
bhavantaṃ samupāśritya vāsudevaṃ yathā paraiḥ |
pāṇḍavair vigraho ghoraḥ samārabdho mayā prabho |
kathayāmāsa durdharṣo viniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ |
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Tuanku, sebagaimana musuh-musuhku berlindung pada Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) lalu berperang, demikianlah aku—bersandar pada tuanku—telah memulakan pertikaian yang menggerunkan dengan para Pāṇḍava.” Setelah berkata demikian, si sukar ditundukkan itu (Duryodhana) berulang-ulang menarik nafas panjang, menyingkap ketegangan antara maruah, pergantungan, dan beban moral perang yang dimulakan di bawah naungan seorang tua yang dimuliakan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ‘āśraya’ (refuge/dependence) as a decisive moral and strategic factor in war: the Pāṇḍavas rely on Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva), while Duryodhana claims reliance on Bhīṣma. It implicitly contrasts divine-guided counsel with dependence on mere martial authority, and shows how inner agitation (repeated sighing) accompanies choices driven by pride and rivalry.
Sañjaya reports that the formidable speaker (contextually Duryodhana) addresses an elder commander (contextually Bhīṣma), saying that just as the opponents fight under Kṛṣṇa’s protection, he has initiated a terrible war against the Pāṇḍavas relying on Bhīṣma. His repeated deep sighs signal distress and frustration as he recounts events and seeks support.