Shloka 62
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
ततो भीम: शरशतैर्दुर्योधनममर्षणम् । विमुखीकृत्य तरसा गजानीकमुपाद्रवत्,उस समय भीमसेनने सैकड़ों बाणोंकी मारसे अमर्षशील दुर्योधनको युद्धसे विमुख करके हाथियोंकी उस सेनापर वेगपूर्वक आक्रमण किया
tato bhīmaḥ śaraśatair duryodhanam amarṣaṇam | vimukhīkṛtya tarasā gajānīkam upādravat ||
Sañjaya said: Then Bhīma, striking the irascible Duryodhana with hundreds of arrows and forcing him to turn away from the fight, surged forward with great speed and assaulted the elephant-corps. The episode underscores the ruthless momentum of battlefield duty (kṣātra-dharma), where disabling a principal foe becomes a tactical opening to break the enemy’s formations, even as anger and pride drive combatants deeper into violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣātra-dharma in practice: a warrior uses decisive force to create tactical advantage, yet the scene also reveals how amarṣa (touchy pride and anger) fuels escalation. It invites reflection on how duty in war can demand harsh action while inner passions intensify suffering.
Bhīma showers Duryodhana with hundreds of arrows, compelling him to turn away/withdraw from direct engagement, and then Bhīma rapidly redirects his assault toward the enemy elephant-corps, aiming to disrupt their formation.