Shloka 49
Bhīmasena’s Kalinga Engagement and the Approach of Bhīṣma (भीमसेन-कालिङ्ग-संग्रामः)
वर्तमाने तथा तस्मिन् निर्मयदि भयानके । भीष्ममासाद्य पार्थानां वाहिनी समकम्पत
vartamāne tathā tasmin nirmaryādi bhayānake | bhīṣmam āsādya pārthānāṃ vāhinī samakampata ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Habang nagpapatuloy ang kakila-kilabot na labanan—hubad sa anumang pagpipigil—nang sumalubong ang hukbo ng Pāṇḍava kay Bhīṣma, nagsimulang manginig ang buong hanay.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of war becoming 'nirmaryāda'—unbounded by restraint. When conflict loses moral limits, fear and instability spread even among those fighting for a righteous cause, and sheer martial prestige (here, Bhīṣma’s) can overwhelm morale.
Sañjaya reports that the battle has turned terrifying and unrestrained. As the Pāṇḍava forces come into direct confrontation with Bhīṣma, their entire host begins to tremble, indicating Bhīṣma’s formidable presence and the intensity of the fighting.