Shloka 57
भीमस्य जलान्वेषणं तथा वनविश्रान्तिः
Bhīma’s Search for Water and the Forest Halt
पाञ्चालस्य रथस्येषामाप्लुत्य सहसापतत् । पाञज्चालरथमास्थाय अवित्रस्तो धनंजय:
pāñcālasya rathasyeṣām āplutya sahasāpatat | pāñcālaratham āsthāya avitrasto dhanaṃjayaḥ |
Vaiśampāyana dijo: Arjuna, sin temor, saltó de improviso sobre el timón del carro del rey de Pāñcāla. Subiendo a aquel carro, Dhanaṃjaya los sometió a su dominio—como Garuḍa, tras agitar el océano, se apodera de una serpiente. Entonces todo el ejército de Pāñcāla, presa del pavor, huyó en las diez direcciones.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights kṣatriya-dharma expressed as fearless resolve and decisive action: a single courageous, well-timed move can break an opponent’s morale and avert prolonged bloodshed by compelling retreat.
Arjuna suddenly leaps onto the drawbar of the Pāñcāla king’s chariot, mounts it, and subdues the situation with overwhelming prowess (likened to Garuḍa seizing a serpent). Terrified, the Pāñcāla soldiers scatter and flee in all directions.