Shloka 16
भीमस्य जलान्वेषणं तथा वनविश्रान्तिः
Bhīma’s Search for Water and the Forest Halt
तमुद्यतं रथेनैकमाशुकारिणमाहवे । अनेकमिव संत्रासान्मेनिरे तत्र कौरवा:
tam udyataṁ rathenaikam āśukāriṇam āhave | anekam iva saṁtrāsān menire tatra kauravāḥ ||
அவனைத் தேரில் தனியாகவே, போரில் வேகமுடன் முன்னேறிக் கொண்டிருப்பதைக் கண்ட அங்கிருந்த கௌரவர்கள் அச்சத்தால் அவனைப் பலர் போல எண்ணினர்।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear can distort judgment: when an army loses composure, even a single resolute warrior appears multiplied. The verse highlights the ethical-psychological dimension of warfare—steadfastness strengthens, panic weakens.
A swift warrior (contextually King Drupada) advances alone in his chariot and showers attacks so effectively that the Kauravas, terrified, perceive him as if he were many fighters rather than one.