Shloka 60
भीमसेनस्य बहुमहारथसंयुगः
Bhīmasena’s Engagement with Multiple Mahārathas
हतो भीष्मो हतो भीष्मस्तत्र तत्र वचो महत् | अश्रूयत महाराज वासुदेवभयात् तदा
sañjaya uvāca | hato bhīṣmo hato bhīṣmas tatra tatra vaco mahat | aśrūyata mahārāja vāsudevabhayāt tadā ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “ ‘Napatay si Bhīṣma! Napatay si Bhīṣma!’—ang malakas na sigaw na ito ay narinig nang paulit-ulit sa lahat ng dako, O Hari, noong sandaling iyon, na nagmula sa takot kay Vāsudeva. Sapagkat sa kakila-kilabot na pagpatay na iyon, ang Mapalad na Śrī Kṛṣṇa ay waring nilalamon ang mismong kamalayan ng iyong mga anak at mga kawal; at nang makita si Mādhava na lumalapit, handang pumatay kay Bhīṣma, sinaklot ng sindak ang hukbo at kumalat ang kaguluhan sa lahat ng panig.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how moral and psychological forces shape war: the mere approach of Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva), perceived as an unstoppable divine will aligned with the Pandava cause, breaks the enemy’s confidence. It suggests that adharma and inner fear can collapse an army even before physical defeat, while divine resolve (or the perception of it) becomes a decisive ethical and strategic factor.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a loud cry—“Bhīṣma is slain!”—is echoing everywhere. The uproar arises because Kṛṣṇa (Mādhava/Vāsudeva) is seen coming close, seemingly intent on Bhīṣma’s death, and the Kaurava side is terrified; the battlefield chaos makes the rumor spread as a great tumult.