Shloka 18
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय 54: फल्गुन-प्रतिरोधः, सौबली-व्यूह-विध्वंसः, दुर्योधन-भीष्म-संवादः
गदया वीरघातिन्या यथोत्साहं महामना: । करोत्यसुकरं कर्म रथाश्वनरदन्तिषु,“महामना भीमसेन उत्साहपूर्वक अपनी वीरघातिनी गदाके द्वारा रथ, घोड़े, मनुष्य और हाथियोंपर अपना दुष्कर पराक्रम प्रकट कर रहा है
sañjaya uvāca | gadayā vīraghātinyā yathotsāhaṃ mahāmanāḥ | karoty asukaraṃ karma rathāśvanaradantiṣu ||
Sanjaya said: With his hero-slaying mace, and with energy equal to his resolve, the great-souled Bhimasena is accomplishing deeds that are hard to perform—displaying his formidable prowess amid chariots, horses, men, and elephants.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the overwhelming potency of determined action (utsāha) in the warrior context: Bhima’s resolve translates into extraordinary, difficult feats. Ethically, it also points to the double-edged nature of martial excellence—power used in a dharmic war still entails immense destruction across all battlefield divisions.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Bhima, wielding his mace, is cutting through the battlefield—striking down fighters among chariots, cavalry, infantry, and elephant corps—performing near-impossible exploits through sheer vigor and strength.