Shloka 26
ततो गदां नृनागाश्वेष्वाशु भीमो व्यवासृजत् | सा जघान बहूनश्वानश्चारोहांश्व मारिष
tato gadāṁ nṛnāgāśveṣv āśu bhīmo vyavāsṛjat | sā jaghāna bahūn aśvān aśca rohāṁś ca māriṣa
Sañjaya said: Then Bhīma swiftly hurled his mace into the mass of men, elephants, and horses. That weapon struck down many horses and their riders, O revered one—an image of war’s relentless force where valor becomes destruction amid the press of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the stark reality of kṣatriya warfare: decisive action and martial prowess can be dharmically framed as duty in battle, yet it simultaneously reveals the immense human and animal cost—prompting reflection on the ethical weight of violence even when performed as sanctioned duty.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma quickly throws his mace into the crowded battlefield ranks of men, elephants, and horses, and the blow kills many horses and their mounted riders.