Shloka 80
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
संनिवार्य स तां घोरां शरवृष्टिं समुत्थिताम् । गदामादाय तरसा संनिपत्य महाबल:
saṃnivārya sa tāṃ ghorāṃ śaravṛṣṭiṃ samutthitām | gadām ādāya tarasā saṃnipatya mahābalaḥ prāhiṇon mṛtyulokāya tad adbhutam ivābhavat ||
Sañjaya said: Having checked that dreadful, surging shower of arrows, the mighty Bhīmasena seized his mace and, with impetuous speed, plunged into the Kalinga ranks. Entering the host, he sent multitudes of warriors to the realm of Death—an astonishing turn in the battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of righteous warfare (kṣatriya-dharma): a warrior may be compelled to use overwhelming force to protect his side and break enemy momentum, while the narrative openly recognizes the grave human cost as lives are sent to Mṛtyuloka.
Bhīma withstands and checks a fierce rain of arrows, takes up his mace, charges into the Kalinga formation, and slaughters many warriors—an action described as astonishing in its impact on the battle.