Shloka 87
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
प्राकम्पन्त च सैन्यानि वाहनानि च सर्वशः । भीमेन समरे राजन् गजेन्द्रेणेव सर्वश:
prākampanta ca sainyāni vāhanāni ca sarvaśaḥ | bhīmena samare rājan gajendreṇeva sarvaśaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, in that battle the entire host and their conveyances began to tremble on every side, struck with fear of Bhīma—who ranged through the field like a lordly elephant, charging here and there. As he repeatedly sprang and surged forward, bewilderment spread over all.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral-psychological dimension of war: sheer force and fearless momentum can collapse an opposing army’s resolve even before physical defeat, showing how fear and confusion spread contagiously in conflict.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīma is rampaging across the battlefield like a mighty elephant; his aggressive movements make the enemy troops and their vehicles tremble, and repeated charges throw the field into bewilderment.