प्रविवेश महासेनां मकर: सागर यथा । स्वयमभ्यद्रवद् भीमो नागानीकं॑ गदाधर:,पांचालोंकी सेना उत्ताल तरंगोंवाले विक्षुब्ध महासागरकी भाँति गर्जना कर रही थी। महाबाहु भीमसेन दण्डपाणि यमराजकी भाँति उस विशाल सेनामें घुस गये, ठीक उसी तरह जैसे समुद्रमें मगर प्रवेश करता है। गदाधारी भीम स्वयं हाथियोंकी सेनापर टूट पड़े
praviveśa mahāsenāṁ makaraḥ sāgaraṁ yathā | svayam abhyadravad bhīmo nāgānīkaṁ gadādharaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Bhīma, bearer of the mace, plunged into the vast host like a makara entering the sea; then, of his own accord, he charged straight at the elephant-corps. The verse underscores the ethical atmosphere of battle in the epic: valor and initiative are praised, yet the imagery also hints at the overwhelming, destructive force unleashed when warriors enter the tide of war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights kṣatriya valor—decisive action and fearlessness in the face of overwhelming forces—while also reminding the reader, through ocean-and-makara imagery, that war is a vast, turbulent element that can swallow all restraint if not governed by dharma.
Vaiśampāyana describes Bhīma entering a massive army formation and then personally charging the elephant division, emphasizing his strength and the sudden, forceful momentum of his assault.