Shloka 79
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५९
Arjuna Breaks the Encirclement; Bhīma Reinforces
स्वान्यनीकानि मृदनन्तो द्रवन्त्येते महागजा: । 'भीमसेनके झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बाणोंसे अत्यन्त घायल हुए ये विशालकाय हाथी अपनी ही सेनाओंको कुचलते हुए भागते हैं || ७८ $ ।। (एते द्रवन्ति कुरवो भीमसेनभयार्दिता: । त्यक्त्वा गजान् हयांश्वैव रथांश्वैव सहस्रश: ।। हस्त्यश्वरथपत्तीनां द्रवतां निःस्वनं शूणु । भीमसेनस्यथ निनदं द्रावयाणस्य कौरवान् ।।) “ये भीमसेनके भयसे पीड़ित हुए कौरव-योद्धा अपने सहस्रों हाथियों, रथों और घोड़ोंको छोड़-छोड़कर भाग रहे हैं। भागते हुए हाथी, घोड़े, रथ और पैदलोंका वह आर्तनाद तथा कौरवोंको खदेड़ते हुए भीमसेनकी यह गर्जना सुन लो। अभिजानीहि भीमस्य सिंहनादं सुदुःसहम्
svāny anīkāni mṛdnanto dravanty ete mahāgajāḥ |
Sañjaya reports that the mighty elephants, grievously wounded by Bhīmasena’s bent, knot-headed arrows, are fleeing in panic—trampling their own formations as they run. The scene shows how fear and disorder can undo an army from within: when courage collapses, even one’s own strength (elephants, chariots, horses) becomes a cause of harm to allies, and the moral weight of battle is felt in the suffering and confusion of all who are caught in it.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and loss of discipline can turn one’s own power into self-destruction: in war, panic spreads, formations break, and the strongest assets may harm allies. Ethically, it points to the tragic collateral suffering inherent in violent conflict.
Sañjaya describes Bhīmasena’s attack causing massive elephants to flee. As they run, they crush their own Kaurava formations, signaling a rout and the breakdown of battlefield order.