Shloka 17
Rātri-yuddhe Droṇasya prahāraḥ — Bhīmasenasya dhārtarāṣṭra-śūrānām nigrahaḥ
Night Battle: Droṇa’s Assault and Bhīma’s Suppression of Dhārtarāṣṭra Warriors
राजन्! जब इस प्रकार द्रोणाचार्यके धनुषसे छूटे हुए पैने बाणोंद्वारा समरांगणमें सैकड़ों और हजारों वीर मारे जाने लगे, तब बलवान् पाण्डुनन्दन भीम वेगपूर्वक रथसे कूद पड़े तथा दोनों नेत्र मूँदकर सिरको कंधेपर सिकोड़कर दोनों हाथोंको छातीपर सुस्थिर करके मन, वायु तथा गरुडके समान वेगका आश्रय ले पैदल ही द्रोणाचार्यकी ओर दौड़े ।। यथा हि गोवृषो वर्ष प्रतिगृह्ञाति लीलया । तथा भीमो नरव्याप्र: शरवर्ष समग्रहीत्,जैसे साँड़ लीलापूर्वक वर्षाका वेग अपने शरीरपर ग्रहण करता है, उसी प्रकार पुरुषसिंह भीमसेनने आचार्यकी उस बाण-वर्षाको अपने शरीरपर ग्रहण किया
sañjaya uvāca | rājan, yadāivaṃ droṇācārya-dhanuṣo mukta-tīkṣṇa-śaraiḥ samara-aṅgaṇe śataśo sahasraśaś ca vīrā nipātitāḥ, tadā balavān pāṇḍu-nandanaḥ bhīmaḥ vegena rathāt prapapāta; sa ca netre nimīlya śiraḥ skandhe saṃkocya bāhū urasi susthirīkṛtya manasā vāyunā ca garuḍa-sadṛśa-vegaṃ samāśritya padātir eva droṇam abhyadravat || yathā hi go-vṛṣo varṣaṃ pratigṛhṇāti līlayā, tathā bhīmo nara-vyāghraḥ śara-varṣaṃ samagrahīt ||
Sanjaya said: O King, when, in this manner, hundreds and thousands of warriors were being struck down on the battlefield by the sharp arrows released from Drona’s bow, the mighty Bhima, son of Pandu, leapt down swiftly from his chariot. Closing his eyes, drawing his head in toward his shoulder, and steadying both arms upon his chest, he took refuge in a speed like that of the mind, the wind, and Garuda, and ran on foot straight toward Drona. Just as a powerful bull playfully receives the force of a rainstorm upon its body, so did Bhima—the tiger among men—take upon himself the teacher’s shower of arrows.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights heroic endurance and resolute action under overwhelming force: Bhima advances despite a deadly barrage, embodying kṣatriya courage and steadfastness in battle, while also showing how epic poetry uses vivid simile to frame ethical valor as calm, controlled strength rather than reckless rage.
Drona’s arrows are cutting down large numbers of warriors. In response, Bhima jumps from his chariot and charges on foot directly at Drona, bracing his body and moving with extraordinary speed, while absorbing the arrow-shower like a bull enduring heavy rain.