Shloka 28
Rātri-yuddhe Droṇasya prahāraḥ — Bhīmasenasya dhārtarāṣṭra-śūrānām nigrahaḥ
Night Battle: Droṇa’s Assault and Bhīma’s Suppression of Dhārtarāṣṭra Warriors
भोजानीकमत्तिक्रम्य दरदानां च वाहिनीम् | तथा म्लेच्छगणानन्यान् बहून् युद्धविशारदान्,उस समय कुन्तीकुमार भीमसेन भोजवंशियोंकी सेनाको लाँधकर दरदोंकी विशाल वाहिनीको पार कर गये तथा बहुत-से युद्धविशारद म्लेच्छोंको परास्त करके महारथी सात्यकिको शत्रुओंके साथ युद्ध करते देख सावधान हो रथके द्वारा वेगपूर्वक आगे बढ़े
bhojānīkam atikramya daradānāṃ ca vāhinīm | tathā mlecchagaṇān anyān bahūn yuddhaviśāradān ||
Sañjaya said: At that time Bhīmasena, the son of Kuntī, overleapt the Bhoja host and crossed through the great formation of the Daradas. He also struck down many other bands of Mlecchas, seasoned in battle; and, seeing the mahāratha Sātyaki engaged with enemies, he drove his chariot forward with alertness and speed to support him. The passage underscores the warrior’s duty in war: to break through obstacles not for mere glory, but to protect an ally and uphold one’s side in a righteous cause as understood on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma expressed as vigilant, purposeful valor: Bhīma breaks through multiple enemy contingents not merely to display strength, but to reach and support an embattled ally (Sātyaki). Duty in war is framed as protection of one’s comrades and steadfastness in one’s pledged cause.
Bhīma rapidly advances through successive enemy groups—the Bhojas, the Daradas, and many Mleccha warriors—defeating them as he goes. Noticing Sātyaki fighting amid enemies, Bhīma urges his chariot forward swiftly and attentively to join and assist him.