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Shloka 7

भीष्मस्य शरशय्या-प्राप्तिः

Bhīṣma’s Fall to the Arrow-Bed

भगदत्तस्तत: क्रुद्धो माधवं निशितैः शरै: | ताडयामास समरे तोत्रैरिव महागजम्‌

bhagadattas tataḥ kruddho mādhavaṃ niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | tāḍayāmāsa samare totrair iva mahāgajam ||

サンジャヤは言った。するとバガダッタは怒りに燃え、戦場で鋭い矢をもってマーダヴァ(クリシュナ)を打った――それは象使いが鉤(アンクシャ)で大象を突き立てて促すがごとくであった。この譬えは攻撃の凄烈さと大胆さを際立たせ、戦の混乱の中で意図的に挑発されてもなお、クリシュナが揺るがぬ大いなる力を保つことを示している。

भगदत्तःBhagadatta
भगदत्तः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootभगदत्त
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
ततःthen/thereupon
ततः:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततः
क्रुद्धःangered
क्रुद्धः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootक्रुध्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular, Past passive participle (क्त)
माधवम्Mādhava (Krishna)
माधवम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootमाधव
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
निशितैःwith sharp
निशितैः:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootनिशित
FormMasculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Plural, Past passive participle (क्त)
शरैःarrows
शरैः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootशर
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Plural
ताडयामासstruck/beat
ताडयामास:
TypeVerb
Rootतड्
FormPeriphrastic perfect (लिट्), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada
समरेin battle
समरे:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootसमर
FormMasculine, Locative, Singular
तोत्रैःwith goads
तोत्रैः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootतोत्र
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Plural
इवas/like
इव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइव
महागजम्a great elephant
महागजम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootमहागज
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular

संजय उवाच

संजय (Sañjaya)
भगदत्त (Bhagādattā)
माधव (Mādhava/Kṛṣṇa)
शर (arrows)
तोत्र (elephant goad)
महागज (great elephant)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights the contrast between uncontrolled anger and steadfast strength: Bhagādattā’s wrath drives him to provoke and strike even Mādhava, while the imagery of a ‘great elephant’ suggests unshaken power and composure under attack—an ethical reminder that fury may lash out, but true greatness remains steady.

In the midst of battle, Bhagādattā becomes enraged and shoots sharp arrows at Mādhava (Kṛṣṇa). The poet compares the repeated striking to a mahout prodding a massive elephant with a goad, emphasizing the intensity of the assault.