Shloka 36
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 ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing that elephant-corps rushing upon them, Vṛkodara (Bhīma), mace in hand, leapt down from his chariot, roaring like a lion—an image of fearless resolve as the battle’s duty presses him to meet force with force.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.