Shloka 82
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
क्षीणशस्त्रस्तु कौन्तेय: कर्णेन समभिद्रुत:,जब कुन्तीकुमार भीमसेनके सारे अस्त्र-शस्त्र नष्ट हो गये, उनके पास एक भी आयुध शेष नहीं रह गया और कर्णके द्वारा उनपर पूर्ववत् आक्रमण होता रहा, तब वे रथके मार्गको बंद कर देनेके लिये अर्जुनके मारे हुए पर्वताकार हाथियोंको वहाँ गिरा देख उनके भीतर प्रवेश कर गये
kṣīṇaśastraḥ tu kaunteyaḥ karṇena samabhidrutaḥ | yadā kuntīkumāraḥ bhīmasenaḥ sarvāṇi astrāṇi śastrāṇi ca naṣṭāni, tasya pāśve ekaṃ api āyudhaṃ na avaśiṣṭam, karṇena ca pūrvavat tasmin ākramaṇaṃ kriyamāṇam; tadā sa rathasya mārgaṃ ruddhvā kartum arjunena hatān parvatākārān hastinaḥ tatra patitān dṛṣṭvā teṣāṃ madhye praviṣṭaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: When Bhīmasena, the son of Kuntī, had his weapons exhausted—so that not a single implement of war remained with him—and Karṇa continued to press his attack as before, Bhīma, seeking to block the course of the chariot, saw the mountain-like elephants slain by Arjuna lying there and entered among them for cover and obstruction. The episode highlights battlefield prudence: when force fails, one preserves life and purpose through strategy rather than futile display.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in righteous warfare, valor must be guided by discernment: when one’s means are depleted, preserving life and continuing one’s duty through intelligent strategy is preferable to reckless, purposeless resistance.
Bhīma has lost all weapons and is being relentlessly attacked by Karṇa. To hinder the enemy chariot’s movement and gain tactical advantage, he takes shelter among the massive elephants previously slain by Arjuna, using them as a barrier and cover.