Shloka 28
भीमसेनस्य गदायुद्ध-प्रभावः
The Battlefield Impact of Bhīmasena’s Mace Combat
साड्कुशान् सपताकांश्व तत्र तत्रार्जुनो नृणाम् । निचकर्त शरैरुग्रै रौद्रे वपुरधारयत्
sa-aṅkuśān sapatākāṁś ca tatra tatra arjuno nṛṇām | nicakarta śarair ugrair raudre vapuḥ adhārayat prajānātha ||
Sañjaya said: Then and there, Arjuna—assuming a truly fearsome, wrathful form—severed with his fierce arrows the upraised arms of the warriors, arms adorned with goads and banners and bearing their weapons and ensigns. The scene underscores the terrible momentum of battle, where martial prowess, once unleashed, cuts down even the proud display of power and rank.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the terrifying force of war: when righteous duty (kṣatriya-dharma) turns into combat, it can manifest as a ‘raudra’ (wrathful) power that destroys the outward signs of strength—raised arms, weapons, banners—reminding the listener that martial glory is fragile and violence has sweeping consequences.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna, moving across the battlefield, assumes a fearsome aspect and with fierce arrows cuts down the upraised arms of enemy warriors—arms holding or adorned with weapons and standards such as goads and banners.