Shloka 23
भीष्म-युधिष्ठिर-संमर्दः
Bhīṣma’s Pressure on Yudhiṣṭhira; Śikhaṇḍī’s Approach; Evening Withdrawal
अष्टावेते महेष्वासा: सुकुमारा यशस्विन: । अभिमन्युरथं राजन् समन्तात् पर्यवारयन्
aṣṭāv ete maheṣvāsāḥ sukumārā yaśasvinaḥ | abhimanyurathaṃ rājan samantāt paryavārayan ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: O Hari, sa digmaang iyon, walong kabataang mandirigmang bantog—mga dakilang mamamana—ang pumaligid sa karwahe ni Abhimanyu sa lahat ng panig, at sinikil siya mula sa bawat direksiyon.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, collective force and tactical encirclement can overwhelm even a celebrated hero; ethically it invites reflection on the tension between valor and the fairness of combat when many converge upon one.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that eight famed young archers closed in around Abhimanyu’s chariot, surrounding him on all sides during the battle.