Shloka 676
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
श्रुतायुषमभिप्रेक्ष्य भीमसेन: समभ्ययात् | भरतश्रेष्ठ) कलिंगसेनाके अग्रभागमें राजा श्रुतायुको देखकर भीमसेन उसका सामना करनेके लिये आगे बढ़े
śrutāyuṣam abhiprekṣya bhīmasenaḥ samabhyayāt |
Sañjaya dit : Apercevant Śrutāyu, Bhīmasena s’avança droit sur lui, résolu à l’affronter au combat. Ô le meilleur des Bharata, voyant le roi Śrutāyu à l’avant des troupes de Kalinga, Bhīmasena s’avança pour le rencontrer sur le champ de bataille.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in wartime: a warrior, upon recognizing an opposing champion, steps forward to meet him directly, embodying resolve, responsibility, and fearlessness in the face of conflict.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma, seeing King Śrutāyu positioned at the forefront of the Kaliṅga forces, advances toward him to engage—setting up a direct confrontation between the two.