Shloka 21
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
त॑ दृष्टवा विरथं तत्र भीमसेनमरिंदमम्
taṁ dṛṣṭvā virathaṁ tatra bhīmasenam arindamam
Sañjaya sprach: Als man dort Bhīmasena sah—seines Streitwagens beraubt und doch ein furchterregender Bezwinger der Feinde—wurde deutlich, dass im Krieg wahre Stärke nicht an der Ausrüstung gemessen wird, sondern an unbeirrbarem Mut inmitten plötzlicher Wendungen.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights resilience and kṣatriya valor: even when external supports like a chariot are lost, a warrior’s true mettle is shown by unwavering courage and continued readiness to face adversity.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma is seen on the battlefield in a ‘viratha’ state—without his chariot—yet described as ‘arindama,’ emphasizing that despite this setback he remains a fearsome opponent.