Shloka 52
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
किरन्तो विविधान् बाणान् शस्त्राणि विविधानि च । तत्पश्चात् पाण्डव-सैनिक भीमसेनको आगे करके नाना प्रकारके बाणों तथा अस्त्र- शस्त्रोंकी वर्षा करते हुए भगदत्तपर टूट पड़े ।।
sañjaya uvāca | teṣām āpatatāṃ rājan saṃkruddhānām amarṣiṇām | taṃ ghoram siṃhanādaṃ śrutvā mahādhanurdharo bhagadatto ’marṣavaśād abhayaṃ gajam eṣāṃ prati prāhiṇot ||
Sanjaya said: O King, the Pāṇḍava warriors, with Bhīmasena at their fore, rained down many kinds of arrows and diverse weapons and then charged upon Bhagadatta. As they—enraged and unable to brook insult—came rushing on, Bhagadatta, the mighty archer, hearing their dreadful lion-roar, driven by amarsa, wounded pride, and without fear, urged his war-elephant forward against them.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger and wounded honor (amarṣa) can become a powerful motivator in war, producing fearlessness and decisive action; ethically, it warns that such resolve may arise not only from dharma but also from pride and indignation.
As the enraged Pandava forces surge forward with a fierce battle-cry, Bhagadatta—renowned as a great archer—hears it and, without fear, drives his war-elephant straight toward them to meet their assault.