Shloka 18
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ९६: सौभद्रस्य आक्रमणम्, अलम्बुसस्य प्रतिविधानम्
Abhimanyu’s assault; Alambusa’s counter-engagement
तेषामापततां श्रुत्वा शब्दं तं तावकं बलम् | भीमसेनभयोेद्िग्नं विवर्णवदनं तथा,उन सबके आनेसे जो कोलाहल हुआ, उसे सुनकर भीमसेनके भयसे उद्दिग्न हुए आपके सैनिकोंका मुख उदास हो गया
teṣām āpatatāṁ śrutvā śabdaṁ taṁ tāvakaṁ balam | bhīmasena-bhayodvignaṁ vivarṇa-vadanaṁ tathā ||
Санджая сказал: Услышав гулкий, бурный рёв наступающих, твоё войско дрогнуло от страха перед Бхимасеной; лица их побледнели и помрачнели, выдавая внутреннюю тревогу на поле брани.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how inner disposition shapes outward conduct in crisis: fear spreads through an army when confidence collapses, and even before weapons strike, morale can be broken by reputation and the perceived power of a righteous, formidable opponent.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that, upon hearing the thunderous approach and commotion of the opposing fighters, the Kaurava troops became visibly unsettled—especially due to fear of Bhīmasena—so their faces turned pale and dejected.