Shloka 38
गौरुडव्यूह-रचना तथा अर्धचन्द्र-प्रत्यव्यूह
Garuḍa Array and the Ardhacandra Counter-Formation
दुर्योधनप्रिये युक्त: पाण्डवान् परिशोचयन् । जीवितं दुस्त्यजं त्यक्त्वा भयं च सुमहाहवे
sañjaya uvāca | duryodhana-priye yuktaḥ pāṇḍavān pariśocayan | jīvitaṃ dustyajaṃ tyaktvā bhayaṃ ca sumahāhave | jighāṃsantaṃ yudhāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ tadā āsīt tumulaṃ mahat ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “Nakatuon sa gawaing minamahal ni Duryodhana, ibinagsak ni Bhīṣma sa dalamhati ang mga Pāṇḍava. Sa gitna ng dakilang labanan, tinalikuran niya ang pagkapit sa buhay na mahirap bitawan—pati ang takot—at sumugod sa pinakadakilang mandirigmang may hangaring pumatay (kay Śveta). Noon ay sumiklab ang isang malawak at magulong sagupaan.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-ethic of steadfastness under duty: Bhīṣma, committed to the Kuru cause dear to Duryodhana, suppresses fear and attachment to life and acts decisively. Ethically, it also exposes the tragedy of loyalty in a flawed cause—valor and self-mastery can serve aims that deepen collective suffering.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīṣma, energized and intent on fulfilling Duryodhana’s interests, attacks the foremost warrior who is trying to kill Śveta (in the surrounding episode, Śveta of the Pāṇḍava side). This charge triggers a fierce, chaotic escalation of the battle.