Shloka 30
भीमसेनस्य कौरवसुतवधः तथा श्रुतर्वावधः
Slaying of Kaurava princes and the fall of Śrutarvā
भीमसेनस्तु तान् दृष्टवा नागान् मत्तगजोपम: । करेणादाय महतीं गदाम भ्यपतद् बली
bhīmasenas tu tān dṛṣṭvā nāgān mattagajopamaḥ | kareṇādāya mahatīṁ gadām abhyapatad balī ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing those mighty warriors—likened to elephants in their force—Bhīmasena, himself like an intoxicated elephant in battle-fury, seized a massive mace in his hand and charged forward with irresistible strength. The verse highlights the surge of martial resolve in the midst of war, where personal valor and disciplined aggression are turned toward the immediate demands of duty on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma in its immediate, battlefield form: when confronted by formidable opponents, a warrior must act with courage and focused strength. Bhīma’s elephant-simile conveys controlled ferocity—power directed toward duty rather than personal cruelty.
Sañjaya describes Bhīmasena spotting powerful foes (likened to elephants). In response, Bhīma grabs a huge mace and rushes to engage them, signaling an imminent clash and emphasizing his characteristic might and aggressive momentum in combat.