Shloka 21
Śalya-parva Adhyāya 26 — Duryodhana’s remnant formation and rapid engagements
दृष्टवा तु निहतान् भ्रातृन् बहूनेकेन संयुगे । अमर्षवशमापन्न: श्रुतर्वा भीममभ्ययात्,युद्धस्थलमें एकमात्र भीमके द्वारा अपने बहुत-से भाइयोंको मारा गया देख श्रुतर्वा अमर्षके वशीभूत हो भीमसेनका सामना करनेके लिये आ पहुँचा
dṛṣṭvā tu nihatān bhrātṝn bahūn ekena saṁyuge | amarṣavaśam āpannaḥ śrutarvā bhīmam abhyayāt ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing many of his brothers slain in the battle by Bhīma alone, Śrutarvā—overpowered by intolerant wrath—advanced to confront Bhīmasena. The verse frames a familiar ethical tension of the war: grief and rage narrowing judgment, driving a warrior toward a retaliatory duel.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how amarṣa—an inability to endure loss or humiliation—can seize the mind and propel one into violent retaliation. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical landscape, such rage is understandable in war yet also shown as a force that narrows discernment and escalates destruction.
After witnessing many of his brothers killed by Bhīma alone on the battlefield, the warrior Śrutarvā becomes consumed by wrath and advances to challenge Bhīmasena in direct combat.