Shloka 16
Rātri-yuddhe Droṇasya prahāraḥ — Bhīmasenasya dhārtarāṣṭra-śūrānām nigrahaḥ
Night Battle: Droṇa’s Assault and Bhīma’s Suppression of Dhārtarāṣṭra Warriors
अंसे शिरो भीमसेन: करौ कृत्वोरसि स्थिरौ | वेगमास्थाय बलवान् मनो5निलगरुत्मताम्
aṁse śiro bhīmasenaḥ karau kṛtvorasi sthirau | vegam āsthāya balavān mano'nilagarutmātām ||
Sañjaya berkata: Bhīmasena menundukkan kepalanya pada bahu dan menegakkan kedua tangan kuat-kuat pada dada lawan; dengan segenap tenaga ia melesat maju—secepat pikiran, angin, dan Garuḍa.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores disciplined force in action: power becomes effective when applied with steadiness (sthiratā) and focused momentum (vega). In the ethical frame of the epic’s battlefield, it reflects the kṣatriya ideal of resolute engagement—strength directed without wavering.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma in a grappling, close-quarters maneuver: he braces himself, places his head against the shoulder and his hands firmly on the opponent’s chest, then drives forward with tremendous speed, compared to the mind, the wind, and Garuḍa.