Shloka 11
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
'जैसे देवता देवराजका आश्रय लेकर निर्भय हो जाते हैं, उसी प्रकार हमलोग योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ भीमसेनका आश्रय लेंगे। ये हमारे लिये परकोटेका काम करेंगे। फिर हमें कहींसे कोई भय नहीं रह जायगा
yathā devatā devarājasya āśrayaṃ labdhvā nirbhayā bhavanti, tathā vayam api yoddheṣu śreṣṭhasya bhīmasenasya āśrayaṃ gṛhīṣyāmaḥ. sa asmākaṃ parikhāyāḥ (parakoṭasya) kāryaṃ kariṣyati. tataḥ asmākaṃ kutas-cid api bhayaṃ na avaśiṣyate.
यथा देवाः सुरेन्द्रस्य शरणं प्राप्य निर्भयाः । तथा वयं भīमसेनं शरणं प्राप्स्यामहे । स नः परिखया तुल्यो भविष्यति; ततः कुतश्चिद् भयम् न भविष्यति ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fearlessness is portrayed as arising from taking refuge in a superior protector—divine (Indra for the gods) or human (Bhīma for the warriors). The verse highlights the ethical-psychological role of trust in capable leadership as a stabilizing force amid crisis.
Sañjaya describes a tactical and morale-based reliance on Bhīmasena, presenting him as a living fortification for his side. The comparison to the gods sheltered by Indra underscores Bhīma’s perceived power to secure the army against threats from any direction.