Shloka 46
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
द्रवतश्न महीपालान् पश्य यौधिष्ठिरे बले । दृष्टवा हि भीष्म समरे व्यात्ताननमिवान्तकम्
dravataś ca mahīpālān paśya yudhiṣṭhire bale | dṛṣṭvā hi bhīṣmaṃ samare vyāttānanaṃ ivāntakam ||
三阇耶说道：“看哪，尤提施提罗啊，你军中的诸王惊惶奔逃；因为见到毗湿摩在战阵之中——张口如同死神亲临——他们心胆俱裂，四散而去。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the visible presence of overwhelming power can collapse morale: fear spreads quickly in war, and leaders must recognize that courage and steadiness are ethical and strategic necessities when dharma is tested under pressure.
Sañjaya reports to Yudhiṣṭhira that many kings in the Pāṇḍava host are fleeing upon seeing Bhīṣma raging in battle, compared to Antaka (Death) with a gaping mouth—an image emphasizing Bhīṣma’s terrifying, seemingly unstoppable force.