Shloka 3
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
अब्रवीच्च तदा राजन् भीष्म कुरुपितामहम्
sañjaya uvāca | abravīc ca tadā rājan bhīṣmaṁ kurupitāmaham, kathayāmāsa durdharṣo viniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ |
桑阇耶说：“大王啊，当时都利约陀那对俱卢族的祖父毗湿摩说道。那难以屈服的王子一次又一次深深长叹，将一切如实陈述——在那场大战中受辱而败，他实难忍受。待他恭敬走近毗湿摩，俯首礼拜，详尽禀告始末之后，又对年迈的宗祖说道：‘主上！正如我的敌人倚仗婆苏提婆之子、圣克里希纳而战，我也仅凭您一人之庇护，才敢与般度诸子开此可怖之战。’”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the ethical psychology of war: pride wounded by defeat seeks validation and support from authority. It contrasts reliance on righteous counsel and divine-aligned guidance (the Pāṇḍavas’ dependence on Kṛṣṇa) with reliance on mere power or seniority (Duryodhana’s dependence on Bhīṣma), implying that the quality of one’s refuge—dharma-aligned or ego-driven—shapes outcomes.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana, distressed and repeatedly sighing after a setback, goes to Bhīṣma, bows respectfully, and narrates the events. He then tells Bhīṣma that just as the Pāṇḍavas fight supported by Kṛṣṇa, he is waging the war relying on Bhīṣma alone.