Shloka 37
भीमसेनो गजानीकं योधयन् बह्बशोभत । यथा शक्रो वज्रपाणिददरियन् पर्वतोत्तमान्
sañjaya uvāca |
bhīmaseno gajānīkaṃ yodhayan bahuśo 'bhavat śobhitaḥ |
yathā śakro vajrapāṇir dārayann parvatottamān |
tathā bhīmasenaḥ gajānīkena saha yudhyamānaḥ śobhate ||
Sanjaya said: Bhimasena, repeatedly engaging the elephant-corps in battle, shone with conspicuous splendour. Just as Śakra (Indra), the wielder of the thunderbolt, rends mighty mountains, so too did Bhimasena, fighting the massed elephants, appear radiant—his prowess standing as a force that breaks oppressive strength and protects his side in the righteous struggle of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights righteous martial excellence: strength and courage, when directed toward one’s duty in a just cause, become a form of protective power. The Indra-simile frames Bhima’s force as decisive and disciplined, not mere violence.
Sanjaya describes Bhima on the battlefield repeatedly attacking and engaging the enemy’s elephant division. Bhima’s brilliance and effectiveness are compared to Indra cleaving mountains with the thunderbolt.