Shloka 43
भीमसेन: प्रहृष्टात्मा गदामाशु परामृशत् | राक्षसराज अलायुधके उस भयदायक घोर कर्मको देखकर भीमसेनका हृदय हर्ष और उत्साहसे भर गया और उन्होंने शीघ्र ही गदा हाथमें ले ली ।। ४२ $ ।। तयो: समभवद् युद्ध तुमुलं नररक्षसो:
bhīmasenaḥ prahṛṣṭātmā gadām āśu parāmṛśat | rākṣasarājena ālāyudhena tad bhayadāyakaṃ ghora-karma dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenasya hṛdayaṃ harṣotsāhābhyāṃ paripūrṇam abhavat, sa ca śīghraṃ gadāṃ pāṇau jagrāha || tayoḥ samabhavad yuddhaṃ tumulaṃ nara-rākṣasoḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the fearsome and dreadful deed of the rākṣasa-king Ālāyudha, Bhīmasena’s heart swelled with joy and martial ardor. At once he grasped his mace in hand. Then a tumultuous battle arose between the man and the rākṣasa—Bhīma and Ālāyudha—each driven by the uncompromising demands of war and the resolve to uphold his side’s cause.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior ethic in epic narrative: when confronted with terrifying violence, a dharma-bound fighter does not collapse into fear but gathers disciplined courage and readiness. Bhīma’s uplifted spirit is not mere delight in bloodshed; it signals resolute preparedness to meet adharma-like ferocity with steadfast strength in defense of his cause.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma seeing the dreadful actions of the rākṣasa leader Ālāyudha. Bhīma becomes energized, quickly takes up his mace, and a fierce, noisy duel begins between them—framed as a clash of a human champion and a rākṣasa warrior.