Shloka 85
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
हाथियोंके समूहमें पहुँचकर मानो वे रथके आक्रमणसे बचनेके लिये दुर्गके भीतर प्रविष्ट हो गये हों, ऐसा अनुभव करते हुए पाण्डुपुत्र भीम केवल अपने प्राण बचानेकी इच्छा करने लगे, उन्होंने राधापुत्र कर्णपर प्रहार नहीं किया ।। व्यवस्थानमथाकाडुक्षन् धनंजयशरैहतम् । उद्यम्य कुज्जरं पार्थस्तस्थौ परपुरंजय:
vyavasthānam athākāṅkṣan dhanañjaya-śaraiḥ hatam | udyamya kuñjaraṃ pārthas tasthau para-puraṃjayaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeking to regain a firm position after being struck by Dhanañjaya’s arrows, the son of Pṛthā—conqueror of enemy strongholds—raised up his elephant and stood his ground. The scene suggests a tactical regrouping amid the press of battle, where survival and steadiness momentarily outweigh aggressive pursuit.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the heat of war, the verse highlights the disciplined need to re-establish order (vyavasthānam) after taking damage—steadiness and tactical composure are portrayed as essential virtues of a kṣatriya, not merely reckless aggression.
After being struck by Arjuna’s arrows, the warrior described as Pārtha seeks a stable formation, lifts/urges his elephant, and holds his position—indicating a regrouping and readiness to continue the engagement rather than collapsing or fleeing.