Shloka 23
Bhagadatta’s Advance, the Saṃśaptaka Challenge, and Arjuna’s Counterstrike (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय २६)
पद्धयां भीमो5प्यथो धावंस्तस्य गात्रेष्वलीयत । जानन्नञज्जलिकावेध॑ नापाक्रामत पाण्डव:,भीमसेन पैदल दौड़कर उस हाथीके शरीरमें छिप गये। पाण्डुपुत्र भीम अंजलिकावेधर जानते थे। इसलिये वहाँसे भागे नहीं
paddhayāṃ bhīmo 'py atho dhāvaṃs tasya gātreṣv alīyata | jānann añjalikāvedhaṃ nāpākrāmata pāṇḍavaḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Même Bhīma, courant à pied, se serra contre lui et se dissimula parmi les membres de cet éléphant. Connaissant le trait meurtrier nommé « añjalikā », le Pāṇḍava (Bhīma) ne recula pas de cet endroit.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights battlefield steadfastness: even when aware of a deadly, expertly aimed shot (añjalikā-vedha), Bhīma does not retreat. It reflects the kṣatriya ideal of holding one’s ground while using practical tactics for survival.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma running on foot and taking cover by clinging close to an elephant’s body, effectively hiding among its limbs. Despite knowing a lethal missile technique is in play, he remains in position rather than fleeing.