Shloka 30
Adhyāya 35 — Bhīmasena’s Counter-Encirclement and the Karṇa Engagement Escalation
यदा द्रक्ष्यसि भीमेन कुज्जरानीकमाहवे
yadā drakṣyasi bhīmena kuñjarānīkam āhave
قال شاليا: «حين ترى في غمار القتال بهيما وهو يحطّم فيلة الجيش تحطيمًا، عندئذٍ ستدرك الثقل الحقيقي لقوته، وخطر الاستهانة بغضبٍ عادلٍ إذا انفلت في الحرب.»
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns against complacency in war: true strength is known by direct encounter, and pride that dismisses an opponent invites ruin. It also underscores the ethical seriousness of battle—might, once unleashed, has irreversible consequences.
Śalya addresses his listener (contextually, within the Karṇa Parva exchanges) and points to a coming battlefield sight: Bhīma confronting and overwhelming an elephant-division. The line functions as a forewarning meant to correct misjudgment about Bhīma’s capacity in combat.