Shloka 45
Śālva’s Elephant Assault and the Counterstroke (शाल्वस्य नागारूढाभ्यवहारः)
परिवार्य रणे भीम॑ निजध्नुस्ते समन््ततः । स वध्यमान: समरे पदातिगणसंवृत:
parivārya raṇe bhīmaṁ nijaghnus te samantataḥ | sa vadhyamānaḥ samare padātigaṇasaṁvṛtaḥ ||
قال سنجيا: وفي غمار القتال أحاطوا ببهيم من كل جانب وضربوه. ومع أنه كان يُهاجَم في المعركة، فقد ظل قائمًا وهو مطوَّق بكتائب من المشاة—مضغوطًا من جميع الوجوه وسط فوضى الحرب.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of kṣatriya warfare: a hero may be surrounded and relentlessly attacked, yet must endure and act with steadfast courage. Ethically, it underscores both the valor expected on the battlefield and the sobering cost of violence when many converge to bring down a single warrior.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma being encircled in battle and struck from all sides. Bhīma is hemmed in by groups of infantry, indicating a coordinated attempt to overwhelm him amid the larger clash.