Shloka 6

Devanagari script

शक्तितोमरनाराचैर्वीरबाहुप्रचोदितै: । कीर्यमाणो5पि बहुभिर्न सम भीमो5भ्यकम्पत,उस समय सब योद्धा भीमसेनपर अपनी भुजाओंके द्वारा चलाकर शक्ति, तोमर और नाराच आदि बहुत-से अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंकी वर्षा करने लगे; परंतु भीमसेन इससे तनिक भी विचलित नहीं हुए

Transliteration

śakti-tomara-nārācair vīra-bāhu-pracoditaiḥ | kīryamāṇo 'pi bahubhir na sama bhīmo 'bhyakampata ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Though many weapons—spears (śakti), javelins (tomara), and iron arrows (nārāca)—hurled with the full force of warriors’ arms were showered upon him, Bhīma did not waver in the least. His steadiness under assault reflects the kṣatriya ideal of fearlessness and resolve in battle, where endurance and composure are themselves forms of strength.

Word by Word

शक्तिwith spears (śakti-weapons)

तोमरwith javelins

नाराचैःwith iron arrows

वीरबाहुby heroic arms

प्रचोदितैःimpelled/urged (launched)

कीर्यमाणःbeing showered/being struck

अपिeven/although

बहुभिःby many (weapons/warriors)

नnot

समम्at all/equally (i.e., in the least)

भीमःBhīma

अभ्यकम्पत्trembled/was shaken

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Bhīma (Bhīmasena)

śakti (spear)

tomara (javelin)

nārāca (iron arrows)

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?

Steadfastness under pressure is a hallmark of heroic conduct: even when overwhelmed by external threats, one should not lose composure or resolve. In the epic’s ethical frame, such fearlessness supports righteous duty (kṣatriya-dharma) and protects one’s side from panic.

What is happening in the narrative?

A group of warriors rains multiple kinds of weapons—spears, javelins, and heavy arrows—upon Bhīma, propelled by strong arms. Despite being struck from many directions, Bhīma remains unshaken and continues to stand firm.