Shloka 48

Devanagari script

तान्‌ निहत्य शरान्‌ भीमो दुर्योधनधनुश्च्युतान्‌

Transliteration

tān nihatya śarān bhīmo duryodhana-dhanuś-cyutān

Translation

Sañjaya said: Having struck down the arrows released from Duryodhana’s bow, Bhīma stood firm, meeting the assault with resolute force. The moment underscores the warrior’s duty in battle—countering aggression without yielding, while keeping his intent fixed on the larger cause of the war.

Word by Word

• तान्: them
• तान्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• निहत्य: having slain/killed
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-हन्
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)

• शरान्: arrows
• शरान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• भीमः: Bhima
• भीमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• दुर्योधन-धनुः-च्युतान्: fallen from Duryodhana's bow (i.e., shot by Duryodhana)
• दुर्योधन-धनुः-च्युतान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्योधन + धनुस् + च्युत (√च्यु)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīma
• Duryodhana
• bow (dhanuṣ)
• arrows (śara)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights steadfastness in kṣatriya-duty: when attacked, a warrior must respond with skill and courage, restraining fear and wavering, and focusing on duty rather than personal agitation.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the midst of battle, Duryodhana shoots arrows; Bhīma counters by striking down those incoming arrows, neutralizing the attack and maintaining his fighting position.