Adhyāya 65: Dawn Assembly, Makara–Śyena Vyūhas, and Commander Engagements
आपततन्तं च त॑ दृष्टवा गजानीक॑ वृकोदर: । गदापाणिरवारोहदू रथात् सिंह इवोन्नदन्,उस गजसेनाको आते देख भीमसेन हाथमें गदा लेकर सिंहके समान गर्जना करते हुए रथसे उतर पड़े
āpatatantaṃ ca taṃ dṛṣṭvā gajānīkaṃ vṛkodaraḥ | gadāpāṇir avārohad rathāt siṃha ivonnadan ||
संजय बोले—उस गजसेना को अपनी ओर उमड़ते देख वृकोदर भीम, हाथ में गदा लिये, सिंह के समान गर्जना करते हुए रथ से उतर पड़े।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights heroic steadiness under pressure: when danger charges in, a warrior committed to kṣatriya-dharma responds with courage and readiness, not panic—channeling strength toward the duty of protecting one’s side in a justly undertaken battle.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma seeing an oncoming elephant division. With his mace in hand, Bhīma dismounts from his chariot and roars like a lion, signaling his intent to engage the elephant force directly.