ततो गजगतो राजा भगदत्त: प्रतापवान् | अर्जुनं शरवर्षेण वारयामास संयुगे
tato gajagato rājā bhagadattaḥ pratāpavān | arjunaṃ śaravarṣeṇa vārayāmāsa saṃyuge ||
Kemudian raja Bhagadatta yang perkasa, menaiki gajahnya, menahan Arjuna di tengah pertempuran dengan menghujaninya oleh derasnya anak panah.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: steadfastness and disciplined courage amid danger. Even when confronted by overwhelming force (an elephant-mounted king and an arrow-storm), the ethical frame is the warrior’s duty to stand firm and meet opposition with skill and resolve.
Sañjaya describes Bhagadatta entering the fight on an elephant and using a heavy barrage of arrows to check Arjuna’s advance, momentarily restraining him in the heat of combat.