Shloka 64
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
रुक्मदण्डां महाशक्ति जग्राहाग्निशिखोपमाम् । चिक्षेप तां राक्षसस्य तिष्ठ तिछेति चाब्रवीत्
sañjaya uvāca | rukmadaṇḍāṃ mahāśaktiṃ jagrāhāgniśikhopamām | cikṣepa tāṃ rākṣasasya tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cābravīt ||
Sañjaya said: When he saw the trident-bearer cut and fallen in two, King Bhagadatta seized a great śakti, its shaft adorned with gold and blazing like a tongue of fire. He hurled it at the rākṣasa, crying, “Stand! Stand!”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, anger and pride can intensify conflict—prompting the use of increasingly destructive weapons. It implicitly invites reflection on restraint (dama) and the ethical cost of violence even within kṣatriya duty.
Sañjaya narrates that King Bhagadatta, after seeing the trident-bearer cut down, takes up a flame-like great spear with a golden shaft and hurls it at a rākṣasa opponent, shouting a taunt: “Stand! Stand!”