Shloka 74
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
विमुज्चन्त: शकृन्मूत्रं गजाः प्रादुद्रुवुर्भशम् । बिजलीकी गड़गड़ाहटके समान उनकी प्रत्यंचाकी भयंकर टंकार सुनकर बहुत-से हाथी मल-मूत्र करते हुए बड़े जोरसे भाग रहे थे || ७३ $ ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
vimucantaḥ śakṛn-mūtraṃ gajāḥ prādudruvur bhaśam |
bhīmasenasya tat karma rājan ekasya dhīmataḥ |
nidhaghnataḥ sarvabhūtāni rudrasyeva ca nirbabhau ||
Sañjaya said: Hearing the dreadful twang of the bowstring—like the rumble of lightning—many elephants, voiding dung and urine in terror, fled in headlong haste. O King, the deeds of Bhīmasena—alone, yet steadfast and intelligent—appeared like those of Rudra himself, as he struck down living beings on every side.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical gravity of war: even when a warrior’s valor is extraordinary, its visible outcome is terror and widespread destruction. By likening Bhīma’s action to Rudra, the text frames battlefield prowess as a force that can resemble divine annihilation—inviting reflection on the cost of violence and the thin line between heroism and devastation.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that elephants panic and flee, involuntarily voiding in fear, upon hearing the terrifying bowstring twang and witnessing the onslaught. He then describes Bhīmasena’s solitary, powerful combat as appearing Rudra-like, cutting down beings across the field.