Shloka 32
Śālva’s Elephant Assault and the Counterstroke (शाल्वस्य नागारूढाभ्यवहारः)
तान् प्रेक्ष्य द्रवत: सर्वान् भीमसेनभयार्दितान् | दुर्योधनस्तदा सूतमब्रवीद् विजयाय च,भीमसेनके भयसे पीड़ित हुए अपने उन समस्त योद्धाओंको भागते देख दुर्योधनने विजयकी इच्छासे अपने सारथिसे कहा--
tān prekṣya dravataḥ sarvān bhīmasenabhayārditān | duryodhanas tadā sūtam abravīd vijayāya ca ||
Sañjaya berkata: Melihat semua pahlawan itu lari bertempiaran dalam panik, dihimpit ketakutan terhadap Bhīmasena, Duryodhana lalu menegur sais keretanya, didorong oleh hasrat akan kemenangan—hendak menghimpun semula barisan dan memutar haluan pertempuran, walau beban takut dan keruntuhan dalam safnya sendiri amat berat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethical tension: leadership is tested when fear spreads. Duryodhana’s impulse is to restore victory-oriented resolve, showing how desire for triumph can override reflection on the causes of collapse—namely, the terror inspired by a superior warrior and the fragility of morale.
Sañjaya reports that Kaurava fighters are fleeing, overwhelmed by fear of Bhīma. Observing this, Duryodhana turns to his charioteer and speaks, intending to regain control of the situation and pursue victory.