Shloka 10
रात्रौ युद्धप्रवृत्तिः — Night Battle Begins; Duryodhana’s Protective Orders for Droṇa
Droṇa-parva 139
तमनन््तकमिवायस्तमापतन्तं वृकोदर: । त्यक्त्वा प्राणानतिक्रम्य विव्याध निशितै: शरै:,कर्णको यमराजके समान आयासयुक्त हो आते देख भीमसेन प्राणोंका मोह छोड़कर पराक्रमपूर्वक उसे पैने बाणोंद्वारा बीधने लगे
tam anantakam ivāyastam āpatantaṁ vṛkodaraḥ | tyaktvā prāṇān atikramya vivyādha niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing him rush forward like Antaka (Death) himself, Vṛkodara (Bhīma), casting aside all fear for his own life and overstepping concern for self-preservation, struck him repeatedly with sharp arrows.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a dharmic battle context, the warrior ideal emphasizes steadfastness and duty over attachment to personal safety. Bhīma’s ‘casting aside’ concern for his own life illustrates courage rooted in resolve rather than recklessness—acting decisively when confronted by grave danger.
An opponent charges fiercely, compared to Death itself. Bhīma (Vṛkodara), undeterred and disregarding fear for his life, counters the assault by piercing the attacker with sharp arrows.