Shloka 23

Devanagari script

पद्धयां भीमो5प्यथो धावंस्तस्य गात्रेष्वलीयत । जानन्नञज्जलिकावेध॑ नापाक्रामत पाण्डव:,भीमसेन पैदल दौड़कर उस हाथीके शरीरमें छिप गये। पाण्डुपुत्र भीम अंजलिकावेधर जानते थे। इसलिये वहाँसे भागे नहीं

Transliteration

paddhayāṃ bhīmo 'py atho dhāvaṃs tasya gātreṣv alīyata | jānann añjalikāvedhaṃ nāpākrāmata pāṇḍavaḥ ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: Even Bhīma, running on foot, pressed close and hid himself among that elephant’s limbs. Knowing the deadly ‘añjalikā’ shot, the Pāṇḍava (Bhīma) did not retreat from that spot—choosing steadfastness in battle over self-preserving flight.

Word by Word

पद्धयाम्in/along the path (track/route)

भीमःBhima

अपिalso/even

अथthen/thereupon

धावन्running

तस्यof that (one)

गात्रेषुin the limbs/body-parts

अलीयतhid/lay close; took shelter

जानन्knowing

अञ्जलिकावेधम्the añjalikā-vedha (a named missile/shot)

नnot

अपाक्रामतwithdrew/retreated

पाण्डवःthe Pandava (Bhima)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

Bhīma (Bhīmasena)

Pāṇḍava (Bhīma)

elephant

añjalikā-vedha (a type of missile/shot)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights battlefield steadfastness: even when aware of a deadly, expertly aimed shot (añjalikā-vedha), Bhīma does not retreat. It reflects the kṣatriya ideal of holding one’s ground while using practical tactics for survival.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes Bhīma running on foot and taking cover by clinging close to an elephant’s body, effectively hiding among its limbs. Despite knowing a lethal missile technique is in play, he remains in position rather than fleeing.