Shloka 27
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
निस्त्रिंशमाददे घोरं चिकीर्षु: कर्म दारुणम् चर्म चाप्रतिमं राजन्नार्षभं पुरुषर्षभ
nistriṁśam ādade ghoraṁ cikīrṣuḥ karma dāruṇam | carma cāpratimaṁ rājann ārṣabhaṁ puruṣarṣabha ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Raja, berniat melakukan perbuatan yang mengerikan dan tanpa belas kasihan, ia mengangkat pedang yang menakutkan; dan ia pun meraih sebuah perisai tiada banding dari kulit banteng—wahai insan termulia.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral gravity of violent action: even when framed as duty in war, the act is described as dāruṇa (ruthless) and ghora (dreadful), reminding the listener that martial resolve carries ethical weight and consequences.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a warrior, determined to perform a harsh deed in battle, arms himself—taking up a fearsome sword and an incomparable bull-hide shield—signaling imminent close combat.