Shloka 43
भीष्मवधोपाय-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into the means to overcome Bhīṣma) | Chapter 103
स निर्भिन्न: शरैघेरिर्भुजगै: कोपितैरिव । अलम्बुषो भृशं राजन् नागेन्द्र इव चुक़रुधे
sa nirbhinnaḥ śaraiḥ ghorair bhujagaiḥ kopitair iva | alambuṣo bhṛśaṃ rājan nāgendra iva cukrudhe ||
قال سنجيا: «أيها الملك، إن ألامبوشا—وقد خُرِق بتلك السهام المروِّعة وأُثخِن جراحًا، كمن هاجمته حيّاتٌ غاضبة—اشتعل غضبًا، كفيلٍ عظيمٍ أُلهِب بخطّاف المِهْمَاز. ففي لهيب المعركة تُوقد الإصابةُ السخطَ، فتدفعه إلى الانتقام لا إلى التراجع.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pain and provocation can inflame krodha (anger). Ethically, it cautions that in war—and in life—injury often triggers retaliatory impulses; mastery of anger is difficult, yet crucial for right judgment.
Sañjaya describes Alambuṣa being struck hard by fierce arrows. Compared to an elephant prodded by a goad and to one attacked by angry serpents, Alambuṣa becomes intensely enraged, signaling an imminent counterattack in the battle.