Shloka 18
रथेनादित्यवपुषा भीम: प्रहरतां वर: । किरन् शरौघान् प्रययावलायुधरथं प्रति,आते हुए कर्णकी उपेक्षा करके समरांगणमें सिंहके चंगुलमें फँसे हुए साँड़की भाँति घटोत्कचको अलायुधका ग्रास बनते देख योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ भीमसेन सूर्यके समान तेजस्वी रथके द्वारा बाणसमूहोंकी वर्षा करते हुए अलायुधके रथकी ओर बड़े वेगसे बढ़े
sañjaya uvāca | rathenādityavapuṣā bhīmaḥ praharatāṃ varaḥ | kiran śaraughān prayayāv alāyudharathaṃ prati ||
Sañjaya said: Bhīma—foremost among those who strike—mounted on a chariot radiant like the sun. Casting forth a dense shower of arrows, he surged forward at great speed toward Alāyudha’s chariot. Seeing Ghaṭotkaca, disregarded by Karṇa, about to become prey to Alāyudha like a bull caught in a lion’s claws, Bhīma’s response embodies the warrior’s duty of protection: he rushes to defend an ally in immediate peril, even amid the ruthless press of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the midst of war’s harshness, the verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma as protective responsibility: when an ally is in imminent danger, a warrior must act decisively to defend and prevent unjust destruction, even at personal risk.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma, blazing like the sun on his chariot, rushing toward Alāyudha’s chariot while releasing a torrent of arrows—prompted by seeing Ghaṭotkaca about to be overwhelmed by Alāyudha, with Karṇa having disregarded him.