Shloka 5
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
एकादश समाख्याता अक्षौहिण्यश्न या मम । निदेशे तव तिष्ठन्ति मया सार्थ परंतप
sañjaya uvāca |
ekādaśa samākhyātā akṣauhiṇyaś ca yā mama |
nideśe tava tiṣṭhanti mayā sārdhaṃ parantapa |
kathayāmāsa durdharṣo viniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ |
三阇耶说道：“焚敌者啊，我麾下那著名的十一支阿叉乌希尼大军，皆与我同在，听命于你。”说罢，那难以降伏的杜罗约陀那仍一再长叹，叙述其事——自身受辱与敌方得势——仿佛要把统帅之责与将临屠戮的道义重担，尽数托付在毗湿摩的权威之上。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how power and military strength are ethically weighty: Duryodhana, shaken by setback, seeks legitimacy and direction from Bhīṣma. It suggests that in war, authority is not merely strategic but also moral—leaders try to transfer or share responsibility for consequences through appeals to senior guardians of dharma.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana, distressed and repeatedly sighing, approaches Bhīṣma and declares that his eleven renowned akṣauhiṇī armies stand ready under Bhīṣma’s command, while he recounts the troubling events that have undermined his confidence.