Shloka 44
भीमस्य जलान्वेषणं तथा वनविश्रान्तिः
Bhīma’s Search for Water and the Forest Halt
ततो हलहलाशब्द आसीत् पाञ्चालके बले । जिघृक्षति महासिंहो गजानामिव यूथपम्
tato halahalāśabda āsīt pāñcālake bale | jighṛkṣati mahāsiṁho gajānām iva yūthapam |
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Entonces se alzó en el ejército de los Pāñcāla un clamor estruendoso de alarma. Como un gran león que se esfuerza por apresar al jefe de una manada de elefantes, así Arjuna estaba resuelto a capturar a Drupada; y en ese mismo instante el tumulto se extendió por las filas pāñcālas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights decisive, goal-focused action in conflict: targeting the key leader can shift the morale and cohesion of an entire force, while also illustrating the epic’s kṣatriya ideal of courage and effectiveness in battle.
Arjuna presses forward to seize King Drupada; as his capture seems imminent, panic and loud commotion break out across the Pāñcāla army, compared to elephants reacting when a lion attacks their leader.