Shloka 99
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
धृष्टय्युम्नस्तु तं दृष्टवा कलिज्ञैः समभिद्रुतम् । भीमसेनममेयात्मा त्राणायाजौ समभ्ययात्
dhṛṣṭadyumnas tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā kaliṅgaiḥ samabhidrutam | bhīmasenam ameyātmā trāṇāyājau samabhyayāt ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing Bhīmasena being fiercely rushed upon by the Kaliṅga warriors, Dhṛṣṭadyumna—of immeasurable spirit—advanced on the battlefield to protect him. The scene underscores the kṣatriya ethic of standing by one’s ally in crisis, where courage is shown not as solitary valor but as timely guardianship of a comrade under attack.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma expressed as protective responsibility: when an ally is overwhelmed, a leader’s duty is to intervene promptly. Ethical valor here is not mere aggression but safeguarding comrades and maintaining the integrity of one’s side in battle.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma is being charged by the Kaliṅga fighters. Observing this, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, described as possessing immeasurable spirit, moves toward Bhīma on the battlefield to defend and support him.