Shloka 186
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
शक्रदेव इति ख्यातो जघ्नतु: पाण्डवं शरै: । वे कलिंगोंकी सेनापर अपने तीखे बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगे। महाधनुर्धर कलिंगराज और उसका महारथी पुत्र शक्रदेव दोनों मिलकर पाण्डुनन्दन भीमसेनपर बाणोंका प्रहार करने लगे
śakradeva iti khyāto jaghnatuḥ pāṇḍavaṃ śaraiḥ | kaliṅgānīkasenāyāṃ tīkṣṇaiḥ śaraiḥ pravavarṣatuḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Le roi de Kalinga et son fils, grand guerrier de char connu sous le nom de Śakradeva, assaillirent ensemble le Pāṇḍava Bhīmasena, le couvrant d’une pluie de flèches acérées. Dans la mêlée, cette attaque concentrée illustrait la coordination impitoyable de la guerre, où prouesse et alliance se tournent vers un seul but : terrasser l’ennemi désigné.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh reality of dharma-yuddha as narrated in the epic: warriors act with disciplined coordination and focused intent against formidable opponents. Ethically, it highlights how martial skill and alliance can be used decisively, while also reminding the listener that war magnifies both courage and cruelty.
Sañjaya reports that the Kalinga king and his son Śakradeva jointly target Bhīmasena, striking him with a concentrated shower of sharp arrows amid the wider clash involving the Kalinga forces.