Shloka 36
महाबली भीमसेन उस गजसेनाका संहार करके पुनः अपने रथपर आ बैठे और अर्जुनके पीछे-पीछे चलने लगे ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
mahābalī bhīmasenaḥ sa gajasenāṃ nihatyātha punar rathopaviśya arjunasya pṛṣṭhataḥ pṛṣṭhataḥ anvayāt ||
tataḥ parāṅmukha-prāyaṃ nirutsāhaṃ balaṃ tava |
vyālambata mahārāja prāyaśaḥ śastra-veṣṭitam ||
Sañjaya berkata: Setelah Bhīmasena yang maha gagah memusnahkan pasukan gajah itu, dia naik semula ke atas keretanya dan bergerak di belakang Arjuna. Lalu, wahai Raja, bala tentera tuanku—kebanyakannya dikepung dari segenap arah oleh senjata Bhīma dan Arjuna—menjadi tawar semangat, berpaling seolah-olah berundur, dan berdiri kaku terpinga-pinga.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how morale is a decisive force in war: when confronted by overwhelming prowess and coordinated leadership (Bhīma supporting Arjuna), an army can become inwardly defeated—losing resolve and turning away—even before it is physically destroyed. It implicitly underscores the kṣatriya ideal that steadfastness and courage are essential to uphold one’s duty in battle.
Bhīma has just annihilated an elephant division and then resumes position on his chariot, following behind Arjuna in support. Seeing the combined onslaught of Bhīma and Arjuna, the Kaurava forces largely falter—becoming dispirited, turning away, and standing stunned while being pressed in by weapons.