अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
ततो भीम: शरशतैर्दुर्योधनममर्षणम् । विमुखीकृत्य तरसा गजानीकमुपाद्रवत्,उस समय भीमसेनने सैकड़ों बाणोंकी मारसे अमर्षशील दुर्योधनको युद्धसे विमुख करके हाथियोंकी उस सेनापर वेगपूर्वक आक्रमण किया
tato bhīmaḥ śaraśatair duryodhanam amarṣaṇam | vimukhīkṛtya tarasā gajānīkam upādravat ||
Sañjaya dijo: Entonces Bhīma, hiriendo al irascible Duryodhana con cientos de flechas y obligándolo a apartarse del combate, se lanzó con gran rapidez y acometió contra el cuerpo de elefantes. El episodio subraya el impulso implacable del deber guerrero (kṣātra-dharma): inutilizar a un enemigo principal abre una brecha táctica para quebrar las formaciones rivales, aun cuando la ira y el orgullo arrastran a los combatientes más hondo en la violencia.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights kṣātra-dharma in practice: a warrior uses decisive force to create tactical advantage, yet the scene also reveals how amarṣa (touchy pride and anger) fuels escalation. It invites reflection on how duty in war can demand harsh action while inner passions intensify suffering.
Bhīma showers Duryodhana with hundreds of arrows, compelling him to turn away/withdraw from direct engagement, and then Bhīma rapidly redirects his assault toward the enemy elephant-corps, aiming to disrupt their formation.