Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 41
Śalya–Bhīma Gadā-saṃnipāta and Śalya’s Bāṇa-jāla against Yudhiṣṭhira
Book 9, Chapter 11
ऋक्षवर्णाञ्जघानाश्वान् भोजो भीमस्य संयुगे । सो<वतीर्य रथोपस्थाद्धताश्वात् पाण्डुनन्दन:
ṛkṣavarṇāñ jaghānāśvān bhojo bhīmasya saṁyuge | so ’vatīrya rathopasthād dhatāśvāt pāṇḍunandanaḥ ||
Sañjaya sprach: Mitten im Kampf erschlug der Bhoja-Krieger Bhīmas Pferde—von bärenähnlicher Farbe. Als seine Rosse gefallen waren, sprang der Sohn Pāṇḍus von der Wagenplattform herab und kämpfte zu Fuß weiter.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a wartime ethical tension: victory often turns on disabling an opponent’s means (here, the horses), yet the warrior’s dharma is shown in steadfastness—Bhīma does not retreat but adapts immediately, meeting adversity with courage and continued engagement.
During the battle, a Bhoja fighter kills Bhīma’s horses. With his chariot immobilized, Bhīma (the son of Pāṇḍu) jumps down from the chariot-platform and continues the fight on foot.