Shloka 57
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
यह देख शत्रुओंका संहार करनेवाले भीमसेनने बड़े वेगसे आगे जाकर भाँति-भाँतिके पैंतरे बदलते हुए अपनी गदासे उन घोड़ों और घुड़सवारोंको मार गिराया ।। तेषामासीन्महाञ्छब्दस्ताडितानां च सर्वशः । अभ्मभिवर्विध्यमानानां नगानामिव भारत,भारत! जैसे वृक्षोंपर पत्थरोंसे चोट की जाय, उसी प्रकार गदासे ताडित होनेवाले उन अश्वारोहियोंके शरीरसे सब ओर महान् शब्द प्रकट होता था
sañjaya uvāca | idaṁ dṛṣṭvā śatrūṇāṁ saṁhārakaro bhīmaseno mahāvegād agre gatvā nānāvidhān pāñcarān parivartayan svayā gadayā tān aśvān aśvārohāṁś ca nipātayām āsa || teṣām āsīn mahāñ chabdas tāḍitānāṁ ca sarvaśaḥ | aśmabhir vidhyamānānāṁ nagānām iva bhārata ||
Sanjaya said: Seeing this, Bhimasena—destroyer of enemies—surged forward with great speed. Shifting his stance in many ways, he struck down with his mace both the horses and the mounted warriors. From those men, beaten on every side, there arose a tremendous sound—like the crashing of stones hurled against trees, O Bharata. The scene underscores the grim momentum of battle: prowess and resolve are displayed, yet the violence of war resounds as a stark reminder of its heavy moral cost.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights martial excellence and relentless resolve in battle, while the simile of stones striking trees emphasizes the harsh, unavoidable impact of war—inviting reflection on the weight of violence even when performed as a warrior’s duty.
Sanjaya describes Bhima charging forward at high speed, changing tactics and stance repeatedly, and using his mace to knock down both horses and their riders; the blows produce a thunderous crashing sound likened to stones battering trees.