Shloka 34
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
तमर्कमिव दुष्प्रेक्ष्य तपनन्तमिव वाहिनीम् । न शेकुः सर्वयोधास्ते प्रतिवीक्षितुमन्तिके,उस समय सूर्यकी भाँति उनकी ओर देखना कठिन हो रहा था। वे आपकी सेनाको संतप्त-सी कर रहे थे। निकट आनेपर समस्त योद्धा उनकी ओर आँख उठाकर देखनेमें भी समर्थ न हो सके
tam arkam iva duṣprekṣya tapanantam iva vāhinīm | na śekuḥ sarvayodhās te prativīkṣitum antike ||
Sañjaya disse: Eram tão difíceis de encarar quanto o sol, e abrasavam o teu exército como um calor em chamas. Quando se aproximaram, nenhum daqueles guerreiros conseguiu sequer erguer os olhos para fitá-los face a face.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how overwhelming power and moral-psychological dominance can break an opponent’s resolve even before physical contact—suggesting that in war, inner steadiness and courage are as decisive as weapons.
Sañjaya describes a fearsome warrior or force advancing so brilliantly and intensely that the opposing soldiers cannot bear to look at him closely; his approach seems to ‘burn’ or oppress the army, signaling panic and loss of confidence.