Shloka 32
न चैन पार्थिवा: केचिच्छक्ता राजन् निरीक्षितुम् | मध्यं प्राप्तं यथा ग्रीष्मे तपन्तं भास्करं दिवि,राजन! जैसे ग्रीष्म-ऋतुमें आकाशके मध्यभागमें पहुँचे हुए दोपहरके तपते हुए सूर्यकी ओर देखना कठिन होता है, उसी प्रकार उस समय कोई राजा भीष्मकी ओर आँख उठाकर देखनेका भी साहस न कर सके
na caina pārthivāḥ kecic chakta rājan nirīkṣitum | madhyaṁ prāptaṁ yathā grīṣme tapantaṁ bhāskaraṁ divi ||
Disse Sañjaya: Ó Rei, nenhum daqueles soberanos terrenos teve forças sequer para fitá-lo—assim como, no calor do verão, é difícil encarar o sol ardente quando ele está a pino no meio do céu ao meio-dia. A imagem transmite a radiância esmagadora e a autoridade marcial de Bhīṣma, diante das quais até reis perdem a coragem de erguer os olhos.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the midday-sun simile to express how extraordinary power and moral-martial stature can inspire awe that restrains even proud rulers. It highlights the psychological dimension of dharma-yuddha: courage is tested not only by weapons but by the opponent’s presence and reputation.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the assembled kings could not bear to look at Bhīṣma, whose brilliance and might were like the scorching sun at noon—signaling Bhīṣma’s dominance on the battlefield at that moment.