Shloka 13
नाहं महेन्द्रादपि वजपाणे: क्रुद्धाद् बिभेम्यायुधवान् रथस्थ: । दृष्टवा हि भीष्मप्रमुखाउशयाना- नतीव मां हास्थिरता जहाति
nāhaṃ mahendrād api vajrapāṇeḥ kruddhād bibhemy āyudhavān rathasthaḥ | dṛṣṭvā hi bhīṣmapramukhān śayānān atīva māṃ hā sthiratā jahāti ||
नाहं महेन्द्रादपि वज्रपाणेः क्रुद्धाद् बिभेम्यायुधवान् रथस्थः । दृष्ट्वा हि भीष्मप्रमुखान् शयानान् नातीव मे धैर्यमिहावतिष्ठते ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts physical fearlessness with moral-emotional collapse: a warrior may claim courage before even divine threats, yet the sight of revered elders and great heroes fallen can shatter inner steadiness. It highlights the human cost of war and the fragility of composure when confronted with irreversible loss.
Sañjaya reports his own state of mind amid the Kurukṣetra war. He says he would not fear even Indra’s wrath while armed on his chariot, but seeing Bhīṣma and other leading warriors lying fallen on the battlefield makes him lose his firmness and composure.