Shloka 383
धनुश्रिच्छेद भीमस्य राक्षसेन्द्र: प्रतापवान् | तदनन्तर प्रतापी राक्षसराज अलायुधने धनुषको पूर्णतः खींचकर छोड़े गये विषधर सर्पके समान भयंकर बाणोंद्वारा भीमसेनके धनुषको काट डाला
sañjaya uvāca | dhanur-śriccheda-bhīmasya rākṣasendraḥ pratāpavān | tadanantaraṁ pratāpī rākṣasarājaḥ alāyudhane dhanuṣko pūrṇataḥ khīñcya chode gaye viṣadhara-sarpa-samān bhayaṅkara-bāṇaiḥ bhīmasenasya dhanuḥ acchinat |
Sañjaya said: The mighty lord of the Rākṣasas, blazing with prowess, cut down Bhīma’s bow. Immediately thereafter, that valiant Rākṣasa-king, in combat with Alāyudha, drew his bow to the full and released terrifying arrows—like venom-bearing serpents let loose—thereby severing Bhīmasena’s bow.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the battlefield frame of kṣatriya-dharma, the verse highlights strategic restraint and decisiveness: rather than mere slaughter, a warrior may neutralize the opponent by disabling the weapon. Ethically, it shows how war tests steadiness—when one’s means (the bow) is suddenly destroyed, courage and presence of mind become the true measure.
Sanjaya reports that a powerful Rākṣasa leader severs Bhīma’s bow. He then, in the clash involving Alāyudha, draws his bow fully and releases dreadful, serpent-like arrows, accomplishing the bow-cutting and intensifying the combat’s momentum.