Shloka 52
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
किरन्तो विविधान् बाणान् शस्त्राणि विविधानि च । तत्पश्चात् पाण्डव-सैनिक भीमसेनको आगे करके नाना प्रकारके बाणों तथा अस्त्र- शस्त्रोंकी वर्षा करते हुए भगदत्तपर टूट पड़े ।। ५१ ह || तेषामापततां राजन् संक्रुद्धानाममर्षिणाम्,राजन! क्रोधमें भरकर आक्रमण करनेवाले, अमर्षशील उन पाण्डवोंका वह घोर सिंहनाद सुनकर महाधनुर्धर भगदत्तने अमर्षवश बिना किसी भयके अपने हाथीको उनकी ओर बढ़ाया
sañjaya uvāca | teṣām āpatatāṃ rājan saṃkruddhānām amarṣiṇām | taṃ ghoram siṃhanādaṃ śrutvā mahādhanurdharo bhagadatto ’marṣavaśād abhayaṃ gajam eṣāṃ prati prāhiṇot ||
Sanjaya said: O King, as those Pandava warriors—enraged and intolerant of affront—came rushing on, the mighty archer Bhagadatta, hearing their dreadful lion-roar, driven by wounded pride and without fear, urged his elephant forward against them. The scene underscores how wrath and injured honor can harden resolve in battle, pushing leaders to meet aggression head-on despite peril.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger and wounded honor (amarṣa) can become a powerful motivator in war, producing fearlessness and decisive action; ethically, it warns that such resolve may arise not only from dharma but also from pride and indignation.
As the enraged Pandava forces surge forward with a fierce battle-cry, Bhagadatta—renowned as a great archer—hears it and, without fear, drives his war-elephant straight toward them to meet their assault.