Shloka 61
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
राजानमभिधावन्तं शरैरावृत्य रोदसी । क्रुद्ध: प्रच्छादयामास शरजालेन मारुति:,कर्णको राजा युधिष्ठिरपर धावा करते देख वायुपुत्र भीमसेन कुपित हो उठे। उन्होंने बाणोंसे कर्णजो ढककर पृथ्वी और आकाशको भी शरसमूहसे आच्छादित कर दिया
rājānam abhidhāvantaṃ śarair āvṛtya rodasī | kruddhaḥ pracchādayāmāsa śarajālena mārutiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the king (Yudhiṣṭhira) rushing forward, Māruti’s son Bhīmasena, inflamed with wrath, covered him with arrows; and with a dense net of shafts he seemed to veil even earth and sky. The scene underscores how, in the fury of battle, martial prowess can eclipse restraint, even when the aim is to protect one’s rightful king.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between righteous protection and uncontrolled anger in war: even when defending one’s king, wrath can intensify violence and obscure discernment, reminding readers that dharma in battle requires both valor and restraint.
As Yudhiṣṭhira charges forward, Bhīma—called Māruti, the son of the Wind—becomes furious and showers the opponent with such a thick barrage of arrows that it is described as covering not only the king’s path but seemingly the very earth and sky.