Shloka 15
Bhagadatta’s Advance, the Saṃśaptaka Challenge, and Arjuna’s Counterstrike (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय २६)
तमापतत्तं नागेन्द्रमम्बुदप्रतिमस्वनम् । कुम्भान्तरे भीमसेनो नाराचैरार्दयद् भूशम्,वह गजराज मेघके समान गर्जना करनेवाला था। उसे अपनी ओर आते देख भीमसेनने उसके कुम्भस्थलमें नाराचोंद्वारा बड़ी चोट पहुँचायी
tam āpatattaṃ nāgendram ambuda-pratima-svanam | kumbhāntare bhīmaseno nārācair ārdayad bhṛśam ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the lordly elephant charging toward him, its roar like a thundercloud, Bhīmasena struck it fiercely with nārāca arrows, wounding it in the region between its temples. In the brutal necessity of battle, the warrior meets overwhelming force with decisive counterforce, to halt a deadly onrush and protect his side.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya conduct in war: when confronted by a lethal, charging force, a warrior must respond swiftly and effectively. Ethical restraint in battle is balanced with the duty to protect one’s army and prevent greater harm.
Sañjaya narrates that a mighty elephant, roaring like a thundercloud, charges forward. Bhīma counters by shooting heavy nārāca arrows into the elephant’s temple region, striking it hard to stop or weaken the assault.