Shloka 52
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
किरन्तो विविधान् बाणान् शस्त्राणि विविधानि च । तत्पश्चात् पाण्डव-सैनिक भीमसेनको आगे करके नाना प्रकारके बाणों तथा अस्त्र- शस्त्रोंकी वर्षा करते हुए भगदत्तपर टूट पड़े ।।
sañjaya uvāca | teṣām āpatatāṃ rājan saṃkruddhānām amarṣiṇām | taṃ ghoram siṃhanādaṃ śrutvā mahādhanurdharo bhagadatto ’marṣavaśād abhayaṃ gajam eṣāṃ prati prāhiṇot ||
Sañjaya sprach: »O König, die Pāṇḍava-Krieger, Bhīmasena an der Spitze, ließen einen Regen verschiedenster Pfeile und Waffen niedergehen und brachen über Bhagadatta herein. Als sie — von Zorn erfüllt und keine Kränkung duldend — heranstürmten, hörte Bhagadatta, der große Bogenschütze, ihren furchtbaren Löwenruf; von amarsa (verletztem Stolz) getrieben und ohne Furcht trieb er seinen Kriegselefanten ihnen entgegen.«
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger and wounded honor (amarṣa) can become a powerful motivator in war, producing fearlessness and decisive action; ethically, it warns that such resolve may arise not only from dharma but also from pride and indignation.
As the enraged Pandava forces surge forward with a fierce battle-cry, Bhagadatta—renowned as a great archer—hears it and, without fear, drives his war-elephant straight toward them to meet their assault.