Shloka 59
भीमसेनस्य कौरवसुतवधः तथा श्रुतर्वावधः
Slaying of Kaurava princes and the fall of Śrutarvā
गदया भीमसेनेन नाराचैरर्जुनेन च । तदनन्तर दो ही घड़ीमें भीमसेनने गदासे और अर्जुनने नाराचोंसे उस गज-सेनाका संहार कर डाला ।। अभिपिष्टमहानागै: समन्तात् पर्वतोपमै:
sañjaya uvāca | gadayā bhīmasenena nārācair arjunena ca | tadanantaraṃ hi ghaḍī-dvaye bhīmasenena gadayā arjunena ca nārācaiḥ sā gaja-senā saṃhṛtā || abhipiṣṭa-mahānāgaiḥ samantāt parvatopamaiḥ ||
قال سنجيا: بصولجانه ضرب بهيماسينا، وبسهام الحديد (ناراجا) رمى أرجونا؛ وفي الزمن اليسير الذي تلا ذلك أبادا كتيبة الفيلة تلك إبادةً تامة. وحولهم من كل جانب كانت الفيلة العظام، كأنها جبال في ضخامتها، تُسحق وتُداس، إذ اندفعت وحشية القتال بلا كابح.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the terrifying efficiency of martial prowess when unleashed in war: even the mightiest formations (an elephant corps) can be swiftly annihilated. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension—kṣatriya-duty compels combat, yet the narrative simultaneously exposes war’s crushing, dehumanizing force and the fragility of worldly power.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma, wielding his mace, and Arjuna, shooting heavy iron arrows (nārācas), quickly destroy an enemy elephant contingent. The battlefield is depicted as filled on all sides with mountain-like elephants being crushed and trampled amid the onrush of combat.