Shloka 46
अभिमन्यु–अलम्बुसयुद्धम् / The Duel of Abhimanyu and Alambusa
with Arjuna’s approach to Bhīṣma
तद् दृष्टवा तावकं सैन्यं विद्रुतं शिबिरं प्रति । मम प्राक्रोशतो राजंस्तथा देवव्रतस्य च,यह सब देखकर आपकी सेना शिविरकी ओर भाग चली। राजन्! उस समय मैं और देवव्रत भीष्म भी पुकार-पुकारकर कह रहे थे--“वीरो! युद्ध करो। भागो मत। रणभूमिमें तुम जो कुछ देख रहे हो, वह घटोत्कचद्वारा छोड़ी हुई राक्षसी माया है।” परंतु वे अचेत होनेके कारण ठहर न सके
tad dṛṣṭvā tāvakaṃ sainyaṃ vidrutaṃ śibiraṃ prati | mama prākrośato rājan tathā devavratasya ca ||
O Hari, nang makita kong tumatakas ang iyong hukbo patungo sa kampo, ako at si Devavrata (Bhīṣma) ay patuloy na sumisigaw nang malakas. Hinimok namin ang mga mandirigma na tumindig at lumaban, huwag tumakbo, at sinabi naming ang nakikita nila sa larangan ng digmaan ay isang nakapanghihilakbot na ilusyon ng mga rākṣasa na pinakawalan ni Ghaṭotkaca. Ngunit dahil sa matinding takot at pagkahilo ng isip, hindi nila napigil ang kanilang pag-atras.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and confusion can collapse discipline and duty in war: even when elders and leaders urge steadiness, a mind seized by panic becomes incapable of right action. It also contrasts appearance and reality—what seems overwhelming may be an illusion—so discernment and courage are essential to uphold kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava forces, terrified, are running back toward their camp. Sañjaya and Bhīṣma shout to stop the rout and to fight, explaining that the frightening spectacle on the field is Ghaṭotkaca’s rākṣasa-created illusion, but the soldiers—stupefied by fear—do not regain composure.