Shloka 6
Duryodhana-śibira-praveśaḥ — The Pāṇḍavas Enter the Kaurava Camp; The Burning of Arjuna’s Chariot
चिक्रीडुश्व तथैवान्ये जहसुश्न॒ तवाहिता: । अन्र॒ुवंश्षासकृद् वीरा भीमसेनमिदं वच:,आपके बहुत-से शत्रु भाँति-भाँतिके खेल खेलने और हास-परिहास करने लगे। कितने ही वीर भीमसेनके पास जाकर इस प्रकार कहने लगे--
cikrīḍuś ca tathaivānye jahasuś ca tavāhitāḥ | anruvaṃśāsakṛd vīrā bhīmasenam idaṃ vacaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Demikian juga yang lain—para musuhmu—mula bersuka-sukan dengan pelbagai cara dan ketawa mengejek. Berkali-kali, beberapa pahlawan mendekati Bhīmasena lalu berkata kepadanya kata-kata ini.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how ridicule and taunts function as a weapon in war: adversaries try to destabilize a hero’s composure and honor. Ethically, it contrasts disciplined restraint with impulsive reaction—showing that maintaining steadiness amid provocation is part of kṣatriya self-mastery.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the opposing warriors (aligned with Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s side) are laughing and engaging in mocking play, and that several repeatedly go up to Bhīmasena to address him with provocative words, setting up the next speech or taunt.