Shloka 216
अभिमन्यु–अलम्बुसयुद्धम् / The Duel of Abhimanyu and Alambusa
with Arjuna’s approach to Bhīṣma
अवल्लुत्य रथात् तूर्ण तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचल: । प्रलयकालीन यमराजके समान भयंकर उन दोनों महारथियोंको आक्रमण करते देख महाबाहु भीमसेनने तुरंत ही गदा हाथमें ले ली और वे रथसे कूदकर पर्वतके समान अविचल भावसे खड़े हो गये
avallutya rathāt tūrṇaṁ tasthau girir ivācalaḥ | pralayakālīna-yamarāja-samaṁ bhayaṅkaraṁ tau ubhau mahārathī ākrāmantau dṛṣṭvā mahābāhu-bhīmasenaḥ tūrṇam eva gadāṁ pāṇau jagrāha, rathāc ca plutyā girir iva niścalabhāvena tasthau ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Bhīmasena saltó con presteza de su carro y quedó en pie, firme e inmóvil como una montaña. Al ver que aquellos dos grandes guerreros de carro se lanzaban al ataque, terribles como Yama, Señor de la Muerte, en la hora de la disolución, Bhīma, de poderosos brazos, tomó al instante su maza y, tras saltar del carro, se plantó con resolución inquebrantable.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kshatriya resolve: when confronted by overwhelming and fearsome opposition, a warrior is expected to meet the threat with steadiness (acalatva) and readiness, not panic—embodying courage and disciplined action in the midst of war.
Sanjaya describes Bhima reacting to the advance of two formidable maharathis. Bhima quickly takes up his mace, leaps down from his chariot, and stands his ground like an immovable mountain, prepared to engage them.