Shloka 59
Adhyāya 65: Dawn Assembly, Makara–Śyena Vyūhas, and Commander Engagements
शोणिताक्तां गदां बिशभ्रदुक्षितां गजशोणितै: । कृतान्त इव रौद्रात्मा भीमसेनो व्यदृश्यत,खूनमें सनी तथा हाथियोंके रक्तसे भीगी हुई गदा लिये रौद्ररूपधारी भीमसेन यमराजके समान दिखायी देते थे
śoṇitāktāṃ gadāṃ bibhrad ukṣitāṃ gajaśoṇitaiḥ | kṛtānta iva raudrātmā bhīmaseno vyadṛśyata ||
Sañjaya said: Bhīmasena was seen bearing his mace smeared with blood and drenched with the blood of elephants; fierce in spirit, he appeared like Kṛtānta (Death itself). The image underscores the terrible momentum of battle, where righteous wrath in war can resemble the impartial finality of death, even when wielded in the service of one’s duty.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the extremity of war, even a dharma-aligned warrior can appear like Death itself—reminding the listener that righteous duty in battle still carries terrifying, irreversible consequences and demands inner restraint and accountability.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīma is rampaging on the battlefield, holding a mace smeared with blood and soaked with the blood of elephants, and that his fierce appearance resembles Kṛtānta (Yama/Death).