Shloka 83
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
दृष्टवार्जुनहतान् नागान् पतितान् पर्वतोपमान् | रथमार्गविघातार्थ व्यायुध: प्रविवेश ह,जब कुन्तीकुमार भीमसेनके सारे अस्त्र-शस्त्र नष्ट हो गये, उनके पास एक भी आयुध शेष नहीं रह गया और कर्णके द्वारा उनपर पूर्ववत् आक्रमण होता रहा, तब वे रथके मार्गको बंद कर देनेके लिये अर्जुनके मारे हुए पर्वताकार हाथियोंको वहाँ गिरा देख उनके भीतर प्रवेश कर गये
dṛṣṭvārjunahatān nāgān patitān parvatopamān | rathamārgavighātārthaṃ vyāyudhaḥ praviveśa ha ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the mountain-like elephants—slain by Arjuna—lying fallen there, Bhīmasena, now bereft of weapons, entered among them in order to block the path of the chariots. Even as Karṇa continued to press his attack, Bhīma chose a desperate, tactical act of resistance: using the battlefield’s wreckage to obstruct the enemy’s advance and protect the larger cause.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When conventional means fail (Bhīma being disarmed), resolve and presence of mind can still serve dharma through protective, strategic action. The verse highlights courage under pressure and the ethical impulse to resist harm to one’s side even without direct offensive power.
Bhīma has lost his weapons while Karṇa continues attacking. Seeing elephants previously slain by Arjuna lying like mountains, Bhīma moves into/among them to obstruct the chariot route—using the fallen bodies as a barrier to hinder the enemy’s advance.