Shloka 74
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
द्रौपदेयांस्ततः पठडच पठचभि: समताडयत् | भीमसेनस्य च क्रोधान्निजघान तुरड्गमान्,इसके बाद भगदलत्तने द्रौपदीके पाँच पुत्रोंको पाँच बाणोंसे घायल कर दिया और क्रोधपूर्वक भीमसेनके घोड़ोंको मार डाला
sañjaya uvāca | draupadeyāṃs tataḥ pañcabhiḥ samatāḍayat | bhīmasenasya ca krodhān nijaghāna turaṅgamān |
Sañjaya said: Then he struck the sons of Draupadī with five arrows. And, in anger directed at Bhīmasena, he slew Bhīma’s horses. The episode underscores how wrath in battle quickly shifts from measured combat to destructive excess, widening suffering beyond the immediate opponent.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how krodha (anger) distorts judgment in war: instead of limiting harm to necessary combat, rage expands violence to additional targets (here, even the opponent’s horses), intensifying adharma-like excess and collateral suffering.
In the ongoing Kurukṣetra fighting as reported by Sañjaya, a warrior strikes the five Draupadeyas with five arrows, then—angered at Bhīma—kills Bhīma’s horses, disabling his chariot’s mobility and escalating the confrontation.