Shloka 17
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
स्वबाहुबलमास्थाय न न्यवर्तत पाण्डव: । न चचाल रथोपस्थाद् भीमसेनो महाबल:
svabāhubalam āsthāya na nyavartata pāṇḍavaḥ | na cacāla rathopasthād bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ ||
Sañjaya sprach: Auf die Kraft seiner eigenen Arme vertrauend, wich der Pāṇḍava nicht zurück. Der überaus mächtige Bhīmasena rührte sich nicht im Geringsten vom Sitz seines Streitwagens—standhaft angesichts des heranstürmenden Feindes, ohne aus Furcht oder Schwanken auch nur einen Schritt Boden preiszugeben.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣātra-dharma in battle: steadfastness under pressure. Bhīma’s refusal to retreat or even shift from his chariot-seat models courage, self-reliance, and unwavering resolve when confronted by danger.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīmasena, relying on his own strength, does not retreat. Even amid intense combat conditions, he remains unmoved on his chariot, signaling dominance and fearlessness before the enemy.