Shloka 32
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
अथास्य चर्माप्रतिमं न््यकृन्तद् भीमो महात्मा नवश्रि: पृषत्कै: । खडगं च भल्लैर्निचकर्त मुष्टौ नदन प्रहृष्टस्तव सैन्यमध्ये,महामना भीमने नौ बाणोंसे उनकी अनुपम ढालके टुकड़े-टुकड़े कर डाले। फिर आपकी सेनाके बीचमें बड़े हर्षके साथ गर्जना करते हुए उहोंने अनेक भल्लोंद्वारा उनकी तलवारकी मुट्ठी भी काट डाली
athāsya carmāpratimaṃ nyakṛntad bhīmo mahātmā navaśriḥ pṛṣatkaiḥ | khaḍgaṃ ca bhallair nicakarta muṣṭau nadan prahṛṣṭas tava sainyamadhye ||
Sañjaya said: Then Bhīma, the great-souled hero of ever-renewed splendor, cut to pieces his incomparable shield with sharp arrows. And with keen bhalla-shafts he also severed the hilt of his sword. Roaring in delight amid your army, Bhīma pressed the assault—an image of relentless martial resolve, where prowess and morale become decisive forces on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how disciplined prowess and fearless presence can shift the balance in war: Bhīma not only disables weapons but also asserts dominance through confident, morale-shaking conduct—an aspect of kṣatriya duty where courage and effectiveness are ethically tied to one’s role in battle.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma shatters an opponent’s matchless shield with arrows and then severs the sword’s hilt with bhalla shafts, roaring joyfully amid the Kaurava ranks as he continues his onslaught.