Shloka 8
अभिमन्यु–अलम्बुसयुद्धम् / The Duel of Abhimanyu and Alambusa
with Arjuna’s approach to Bhīṣma
सम्प्रेक्ष्यैतान् सम्पतत: संक्रुद्धाउ्जातसम्भ्रमान्
saṃprekṣyaitān sampatataḥ saṃkruddhān jātasambhramān | saṃśayaṃ paramaṃ prāptaṃ majjantaṃ vyasanārṇave ||
Disse Sañjaya: Vendo aqueles guerreiros avançarem impetuosos, em fúria e alvoroço, e percebendo o rei Duryodhana a afundar num oceano de calamidades, caído em extremo perigo de vida, Droṇācārya dirigiu-se aos vossos grandes guerreiros de carro: “Heróis, que vos sobrevenha o bem. Ide depressa e protegei o rei Duryodhana, oprimido pela crise e preso a uma grave dúvida quanto à sua sobrevivência.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the midst of war, the verse highlights the ethical weight of leadership and duty: commanders must read the battlefield, recognize imminent danger to those responsible for the polity (the king), and act decisively to prevent collapse. It also shows how loyalty and protection of one’s charge become urgent obligations when crisis peaks.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa sees warriors charging in anger and confusion, while Duryodhana appears to be sinking into severe danger—an ‘ocean of calamity.’ Droṇa then urges the Kaurava elite chariot-fighters to hurry and rescue/protect Duryodhana from this life-threatening संकट.