Shloka 23
Bhīṣma–Karṇa Saṃvāda on the Śaraśayyā (भीष्म–कर्ण संवादः शरशय्यायाम्)
ततो भीमो महेष्वास: फाल्गुनश्न महारथ: । कौरवाणां चमूं घोरां भृशं दुद्रुवतू रणे
sañjaya uvāca | tato bhīmo maheṣvāsaḥ phālgunaś ca mahārathaḥ | kauravāṇāṃ camūṃ ghorāṃ bhṛśaṃ dudruvatuḥ raṇe | ekaikaṃ tribhir ānarcchet kaṅkabarhiṇavājitaiḥ |
Sañjaya dit : Alors Bhīma, le grand archer, et Phālguna (Arjuna), le grand guerrier de char, repoussèrent avec une force immense la terrible armée des Kaurava dans la bataille. Ils frappèrent chaque adversaire de trois flèches empennées de plumes de vautour, infligeant une douleur vive et brisant l’élan de l’ennemi. Ainsi, par une prouesse disciplinée et une action concertée, ils commencèrent à mettre en déroute cette effroyable armée kaurava sur le champ.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds kṣatriya-dharma in action: disciplined strength and coordinated effort can check a larger force. Ethically, it illustrates how resolve and skill, when aligned with a just cause in the epic’s framing, can turn the tide against an oppressive host.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma and Arjuna press hard against the Kaurava formation, striking opponents with triple-arrow volleys and driving the army back on the battlefield, initiating a rout of the Kaurava troops in that phase of the fight.