Shloka 43
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
तस्य भीमोडपि द्विरदं गदया समपोथयत् | तस्मात् प्रमथिताजन्नागात् क्षेमधूर्तिमवप्लुतम्
tasya bhīmo 'pi dviradaṃ gadayā samapothayat | tasmāt pramathitāj jannāgāt kṣemadhūrtim avaplutam |
サञ्जयは語った。ビーマもまた棍棒（ガダー）でその戦象を打ち倒した。ついでクシェーマドゥールティは衝撃に揺さぶられ、象を捨てて跳び降り、前へ進み出た。剣を手に迫るや、ビーマセーナはさらに棍棒で打ち据えた。打撃に倒れて命は尽き、彼は剣を握ったまま自らの象の傍らに崩れ落ちた。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh logic of battlefield dharma: when combat is joined, hesitation can be fatal, and a warrior’s duty is to neutralize immediate threats decisively. It also reflects the impermanence of martial power—mount, weapon, and life can be lost in an instant.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma smashes Kṣemadhūrti’s elephant with his mace. Kṣemadhūrti dismounts and advances with a sword, but Bhīma strikes him again with the mace, killing him; he falls near his elephant with the sword still in hand.