Shloka 2
Bhīṣma’s Stuti of Keśava and Counsel on Nara–Nārāyaṇa (भीष्म-स्तवः; नरनारायण-प्रसङ्गः)
त॑ं द्रोणदुर्योधनबाह्लिकाश्व तथैव दुर्मर्षणचित्रसेनौ । जयद्रथश्वातिबलो बलौघै- न॑पास्तथान्ये प्रययु: समनन््तात्
taṁ droṇaduryodhanabāhlikāśva tathaiva durmarṣaṇacitrasenau | jayadrathaśvātibalo balaughair apāstathānye prayayuḥ samanantāt || saṁsaktamatitejobhis tam ekaṁ dadṛśur janāḥ | pañcabhir manujavyāghrair gajaiḥ siṁhaśiśuṁ yathā ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Sa paligid niya’y sumulong sina Droṇa, Duryodhana, Bāhlika, gayundin sina Durmarṣaṇa at Citrasena; at si Jayadratha—lubhang makapangyarihan—kasama ang naglalakihang hukbo at iba pang mga hari, na dumarating mula sa bawat panig. Nakita ng mga tao roon ang nag-iisang mandirigma na nakikipagsagupaan sa mga lalaking nag-uumapaw sa ningning—gaya ng batang leon na sinasalakay ng limang elepante. Gayon din, si Abhimanyu, anak ni Subhadrā, ay nakita na nakikipaglaban mag-isa laban sa limang bayaning tila mga leon.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war: a lone, duty-bound hero faces a coordinated onslaught by many renowned warriors. It underscores kṣatriya-dharma (steadfastness and courage under pressure) while implicitly inviting reflection on fairness and collective aggression against a single combatant.
Sañjaya reports that major Kaurava leaders—Droṇa, Duryodhana, Bāhlika, Durmarṣaṇa, Citrasena, and the very powerful Jayadratha—advance with large forces from all directions. Observers see one warrior fighting amid them, compared to a lion-cub surrounded by five elephants; this lone fighter is identified as Abhimanyu, son of Subhadrā.