तान् वध्यमानान् दृष्टवाथ भीमो भीमपराक्रम: । अभ्ययात् त्वरित: कर्ण विशिखान् प्रकिरन् रणे
tān vadhyamānān dṛṣṭvātha bhīmo bhīmaparākramaḥ | abhyayāt tvaritaḥ karṇa-viśikhān prakiran raṇe ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing those warriors being cut down, Bhīma—of dreadful prowess—rushed forward without delay, scattering arrows at Karṇa amid the clash of battle. The moment underscores Bhīma’s protective fury in war: when allies are being slain, he answers with swift, forceful intervention rather than hesitation.
संजय उवाच
In a dharma-framed war narrative, the verse highlights decisive action in defense of one’s side: when comrades are being destroyed, a warrior’s duty is prompt intervention. It also shows how martial ethics can channel intense emotion—protective fury—into purposeful action rather than paralysis.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma sees fighters being slain and immediately charges forward. In the midst of battle he showers arrows directed at Karṇa, signaling a direct engagement and an attempt to check Karṇa’s momentum.