Shloka 31
भीमस्य जलान्वेषणं तथा वनविश्रान्तिः
Bhīma’s Search for Water and the Forest Halt
स युद्धकुशलः पार्थों बाहुवीयेण चातुल: । अहनत् कुञ्जरानीकं गदया कालरूपधृत्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | sa yuddhakuśalaḥ pārtho bāhuvīryeṇa cātulaḥ | ahanat kuñjarānīkaṃ gadayā kālarūpadhṛt |
Dijo Vaiśaṃpāyana: Aquel hijo de Kuntī, diestro en el arte de la guerra e inigualable en la fuerza de sus brazos, asumió un aspecto como el de la Muerte misma y, con su maza, comenzó la destrucción del cuerpo de elefantes.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the terrifying impersonality of war: when a warrior’s prowess becomes overwhelming, it is likened to Kāla (Time/Death), suggesting that in battle even mighty forces like an elephant corps can be swept away by an inexorable power. Ethically, it frames martial excellence as awe-inspiring yet grim, reminding the listener of war’s destructive inevitability.
Vaiśampāyana describes a Pāṇḍava hero (called Pārtha here) who is highly skilled in combat and unmatched in arm-strength. Taking on a Death-like ferocity, he attacks with a mace and begins routing/destroying the enemy’s elephant formation (kuñjarānīka).