Shloka 36
स तेन निर्विद्धतनुर्व॑कोदरो निपातित:ः सत्रस्ततनुर्गतासुवत् । प्रसार्य बाहू रथवर्यमाश्रित: पुनः स संज्ञामुपलभ्य चानदत्,उससे भीमसेनका शरीर छिद गया। वे बहुत शिथिल हो गये और प्राणहीनके समान दोनों बाँहें फैलाकर अपने श्रेष्ठ रथपर लुढ़क गये। फिर थोड़ी ही देरमें होशमें आकर भीमसेन सिंहके समान दहाड़ने लगे
sa tena nirviddha-tanur vakodaro nipātitaḥ sa-trasita-tanur gata-āsuvat | prasārya bāhū ratha-varyam āśritaḥ punaḥ sa saṃjñām upalabhya cānādat ||
Sañjaya said: Struck through by that blow, Vṛkodara (Bhīmasena) fell, his body pierced and slack, appearing as if life had departed. With his arms outstretched he collapsed upon his excellent chariot; then, after a brief moment, regaining consciousness, he roared like a lion—signaling that his resolve in battle had not been broken despite the wound.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya endurance: even when grievously wounded and momentarily collapsing, a warrior committed to his duty regains composure and reasserts resolve. Ethically, it frames courage as steadiness under suffering rather than mere aggression.
Bhīmasena (Vṛkodara) is pierced by an opponent’s strike and falls onto his chariot, appearing nearly lifeless. Shortly afterward he regains consciousness and roars like a lion, indicating he is still ready to continue the fight.