Shloka 44
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
उद्यतायुधमायान्तं गदयाहन् वृकोदर: । स पपात हत:ः सासिर्व्यसुस्तमभितो द्विपम्
udyatāyudham āyāntaṃ gadayāhan vṛkodaraḥ | sa papāta hataḥ sāsir vyasus tam abhito dvipam ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Cuando el enemigo avanzó con el arma en alto, Vṛkodara (Bhīma) lo golpeó con su maza. El guerrero cayó sin vida, con la espada aún en la mano, junto a su elefante.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the uncompromising nature of battlefield duty (kṣatriya-dharma): when an armed opponent advances, decisive action is required. It also reflects the ethical tension of war—valor and duty operate within a setting of unavoidable violence.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma (Vṛkodara) striking an advancing, weapon-raised warrior with his mace. The man, still holding a sword, collapses dead beside his elephant, emphasizing Bhīma’s overwhelming strength and the swift turns of combat.