Shloka 9
भीमसेनस्य वेगाभिपातः—विशोकसारथिसंवादश्च
Bhīma’s surge and dialogue with charioteer Viśoka
लाघवं द्रोणपुत्रस्य दृष्टवा तत्र महारथा: । व्यस्मयन्त महाराज न चैन प्रत्युदीक्षितुम्
lāghavaṁ droṇaputrasya dṛṣṭvā tatra mahārathāḥ | vyasmayanta mahārāja na caina pratyudīkṣitum ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai Raja, melihat kelincahan dan kecekapan putera Droṇa di sana, para maharatha terperanjat kehairanan, dan mereka tidak sanggup bangkit untuk menghadapinya dalam serangan balas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary skill and speed in warfare can overwhelm even elite warriors, reminding that courage and duty are tested not only by physical danger but also by psychological shock and awe.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the great warriors, upon witnessing Aśvatthāman’s swift martial performance on the battlefield, were astonished and hesitated to confront him directly.