Shloka 466
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
भयार्ता: प्रपलायन्ते सिंहात् क्षुद्रमृगा इव । “समरभूमिमें मुँह बाये हुए कालके समान भीष्मको देखकर युधिष्ठिरकी सेनामें भागते हुए इन राजाओंकी ओर दृष्टिपात करो। ये सिंहसे डरे हुए क्षुद्र मृगोंकी भाँति भयसे आतुर होकर पलायन कर रहे हैं!
bhayārtāḥ prapalāyante siṃhāt kṣudramṛgā iva |
Wika ni Sañjaya: Sa takot, sila’y tumatakas—gaya ng maliliit na usa sa harap ng leon. Masdan ang mga haring yaon sa hukbo ni Yudhiṣṭhira na nagtatakbuhan sa sindak nang makita si Bhīṣma, na nakatindig sa larangan na parang si Kamatayan mismo, nakanganga, handang lumamon. Ang lakas ng dakilang matanda ang sumira sa kanilang loob at nagtulak sa kanila sa pag-urong.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear can overwhelm even rulers when confronted with an embodiment of martial authority. Ethically, it contrasts the ideal of kṣatriya steadfastness in battle with the human tendency to panic, showing that courage is tested not by words but by the presence of real danger.
Sañjaya describes to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the effect of Bhīṣma’s terrifying advance: many kings fighting for Yudhiṣṭhira lose heart and flee the battlefield, compared to small deer scattering before a lion.