Shloka 18
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — दुर्योधनस्य ह्रदप्रवेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue: Duryodhana’s Entry into the Lake
स विह्दलो महाराज रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् । सहदेवं तथा दृष्टवा भीमसेन: प्रतापवान्
sa viddhalo mahārāja rathopasthe upāviśat | sahadevaṃ tathā dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenaḥ pratāpavān |
Sañjaya said: Wounded and shaken by that blow, O King, Sahadeva sank down upon the seat of his chariot. Seeing Sahadeva in such a state, the mighty Bhīmasena blazed with fierce anger. In protective wrath he checked the enemy’s advance and, showering hundreds—indeed thousands—of nārāca arrows, tore through and shattered their ranks.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya battlefield ethic where loyalty and protection of one’s kin (here, Bhīma toward Sahadeva) can become a powerful moral impulse, yet it also shows how quickly that impulse manifests as intensified violence—reminding readers that even righteous motives in war carry destructive consequences.
Sahadeva, struck by a blow, collapses onto his chariot-seat. Bhīma sees his brother’s wounded state, becomes enraged, halts the opposing advance, and unleashes a dense volley of nārāca arrows that rends the enemy formations.