Shloka 61
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
दुःशासन: सौबलश्न गजानीकेन पाण्डवम् । महता परिवार्यव क्षुद्रकैरभ्यताडयत्
sañjaya uvāca | duḥśāsanaḥ saubalena gajānīkena pāṇḍavam | mahatā parivārya vai kṣudrakair abhyatāḍayat ||
Sañjaya said: Duḥśāsana, together with Śakuni the son of Subala, surrounded the Pāṇḍava (Bhīmasena) with a great elephant-corps and then began to strike him repeatedly with volleys of arrows. The scene underscores how, in the frenzy of war, force and numbers are used to overwhelm a single foe—an image of adharma-driven hostility rather than fair combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how adharma often expresses itself through intimidation and disproportionate force—many against one—contrasting with ideals of fair combat and restraint. It invites reflection on how power can be misused when driven by hostility rather than righteousness.
Sañjaya reports that Duḥśāsana, aided by Śakuni, encircles Bhīma with a large elephant contingent and begins a sustained arrow-assault, attempting to overwhelm him through numbers and tactical containment.