Shloka 110
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
ततः शरसहस््रेण संनिवार्य महारथान् । हयान् काञ्चनसंनाहान् भीमस्य न््यहनच्छरै:
tataḥ śarasahasreṇa saṃnivārya mahārathān | hayān kāñcanasaṃnāhān bhīmasya nyahanaccharaiḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Alors, d’un millier de flèches, Bhīṣma contint ces grands guerriers de char ; puis, de ses traits, il abattit les chevaux de Bhīma, harnachés d’or. L’épisode souligne la précision implacable du dharma guerrier : neutraliser la mobilité — plutôt que rechercher la seule gloire personnelle — devient une tactique décisive, lourde d’enjeux moraux.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a key aspect of kshatriya battlefield dharma: victory often depends on disciplined strategy—such as immobilizing an opponent by targeting horses—rather than mere display of valor. It also reflects the harsh ethical terrain of war, where effective action can be devastating yet considered legitimate within the accepted rules of combat.
Sanjaya reports that Bhishma unleashes a dense volley of arrows to halt three great warriors, and then shoots down Bhima’s gold-harnessed horses, crippling Bhima’s chariot mobility and shifting the tactical balance in that exchange.