Shloka 30
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
पातिते भीमसेनेन शल्ये कर्णे च शड्किते । शड्किता: सर्वराजान: परिवत्रुर्वकोदरम्
pātite bhīmasenena śalye karṇe ca śaṅkite | śaṅkitāḥ sarvarājānaḥ parivavruḥ vṛkodaram ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Nang maibagsak ni Bhīmasena si Śalya at si Karṇa man ay mapasok ng pag-aalinlangan at takot, ang lahat ng mga hari—nabahala at nawalan ng loob sa pakikidigma—ay pumaligid kay Vṛkodara (Bhīma) sa bawat panig, nakatindig na nakapalibot sa kanya. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito kung gaano kabilis magbago ang loob sa digmaan: ang pagbagsak ng isang kampeon at ang pag-uurong-sulong ng isa pa ay kayang yumanig sa buong hukbo, at itulak ang mga pinuno na kumilos dahil sa pangamba, hindi sa matatag na pasya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical-psychological dimension of warfare: collective conduct often follows fear and shifting morale rather than principled steadiness. When key warriors fall or waver, even rulers may abandon clear judgment and act defensively, revealing how dharma in conflict is tested not only by weapons but by courage and composure.
After Bhīmasena brings down Śalya and Karṇa becomes apprehensive, the gathered kings grow alarmed. They stop pressing forward with confident battle intent and instead surround Bhīma from all sides, forming an encirclement around him.