Shloka 49

Bhīmasena’s Kalinga Engagement and the Approach of Bhīṣma (भीमसेन-कालिङ्ग-संग्रामः)

Devanagari script

वर्तमाने तथा तस्मिन्‌ निर्मयदि भयानके । भीष्ममासाद्य पार्थानां वाहिनी समकम्पत

Transliteration

vartamāne tathā tasmin nirmaryādi bhayānake | bhīṣmam āsādya pārthānāṃ vāhinī samakampata ||

Translation

三阇耶说道：当那场可怖的战斗——全然失去约束——仍在肆虐之时，般度军一与毗湿摩相接，便开始战栗。

Word by Word

• वर्तमाने: while (it was) going on / in progress
• वर्तमाने: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर्तमान (वृत् धातु से वर्तमान-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त)
• Form: neuter, locative, singular

• तथा: thus / in that manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• तस्मिन्: in that (battle/time)
• तस्मिन्: Adhikarana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: masculine/neuter, locative, singular

• निर्मदि: in the (battle) devoid of restraint/pride (i.e., lawless)
• निर्मदि: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्मद (निर् + मद)
• Form: masculine/neuter, locative, singular

• भयानके: in the terrible (battle)
• भयानके: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भयानक
• Form: masculine/neuter, locative, singular

• भीष्मम्: Bhishma
• भीष्मम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• आसाद्य: having approached / reaching
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + सद्
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund)

• पार्थानाम्: of the sons of Pritha (Pandavas)
• पार्थानाम्: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थ
• Form: masculine, genitive, plural

• वाहिनी: army
• वाहिनी: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाहिनी
• Form: feminine, nominative, singular

• समकम्पत्: trembled / shook
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + कम्प्
• Form: imperfect (लङ्), 3rd, singular, parasmaipada

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīṣma
• Pārthas (Pāṇḍavas)
• Pāṇḍava army (vāhinī)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical danger of war becoming 'nirmaryāda'—unbounded by restraint. When conflict loses moral limits, fear and instability spread even among those fighting for a righteous cause, and sheer martial prestige (here, Bhīṣma’s) can overwhelm morale.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that the battle has turned terrifying and unrestrained. As the Pāṇḍava forces come into direct confrontation with Bhīṣma, their entire host begins to tremble, indicating Bhīṣma’s formidable presence and the intensity of the fighting.