Shloka 26
पदातिनो<पि संत्यज्य प्रियं जीवितमात्मन: । भीममभ्यद्रवन् संख्ये पतड़ा ज्वलनं यथा,वे पैदल सैनिक भी अपने प्यारे प्राणोंका मोह छोड़कर उस युद्धस्थलमें भीमसेनकी ओर उसी प्रकार दौड़े, जैसे पतंग आगपर टूट पड़ते हैं
padātino 'pi santyajya priyaṁ jīvitam ātmanaḥ | bhīmam abhyadravan saṅkhye pataṅgā jvalanaṁ yathā ||
पदातिनोऽपि संत्यज्य प्रियं जीवितमात्मनः । भीममभ्यद्रवन् संख्ये पतङ्गा ज्वलनं यथा ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the terrifying pull of war: soldiers may abandon attachment to life and rush into danger, driven by allegiance, duty, or frenzy. Ethically, it invites reflection on how collective violence can make self-preservation seem secondary to group obligation or momentary passion.
Sañjaya describes infantrymen charging straight at Bhīma in the thick of battle. The comparison to moths rushing into fire emphasizes both Bhīma’s deadly power and the near-suicidal intensity of the attackers’ advance.