Shloka 18
Abhimanyu-śravaṇa-prastāva and Cakravyūha-vinyāsa
Prelude to Abhimanyu’s Account and the Wheel-Formation Deployment
तत्र द्रोणेन विहितो व्यूहो राजन् व्यरोचत । चरन् मध्यंदिने सूर्य: प्रतपन्निव दुर्दूश:,राजन! उस समय वहाँ द्रोणाचार्यने जिस व्यूहका निर्माण किया, वह मध्याह्नकालमें विचरते हुए सूर्यकी भाँति शत्रुओंको संताप देता-सा सुशोभित हो रहा था। उसे जीतना तो दूर रहा, उसकी ओर आँख उठाकर देखना भी अत्यन्त कठिन था
tatra droṇena vihito vyūho rājan vyarocata | caran madhyaṃdine sūryaḥ pratapann iva durdūṣaḥ ||
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ହେ ରାଜନ! ସେଠାରେ ଦ୍ରୋଣଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ବିନ୍ୟସ୍ତ ବ୍ୟୂହ ମଧ୍ୟାହ୍ନ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ପରି ଦୀପ୍ତିମାନ ହୋଇ ଉଜ୍ଜ୍ୱଳ ହେଉଥିଲା; ଶତ୍ରୁମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦହାଇଦେଉଥିବା ପରି—ଦେଖିବାକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ କଷ୍ଟ, ନିକଟେ ଯିବା ତ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଦୁର୍ଗମ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how disciplined organization and strategic leadership can become overwhelming force in war; ethically, it underscores the terrifying momentum of conflict once martial skill and duty (kṣatriya-dharma) are fully mobilized.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Droṇa has arranged a formidable battle-formation, radiant and oppressive like the midday sun, implying it is extremely difficult for the opposing side to face or break.