Shloka 26
जघान गदया भीमस्तस्य राज्ञ: परिच्छदम् | ततो<न्येडभिहता नागा रथाश्ष शतशो बलात्
sañjaya uvāca |
jaghāna gadayā bhīmas tasya rājñaḥ paricchadam |
tato 'nye 'bhihatā nāgā rathāś ca śataśo balāt ||
ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಭೀಮನು ಗದೆಯಿಂದ ಆ ರಾಜನ ರಾಜಚಿಹ್ನೆಗಳನ್ನೂ ಉಪಕರಣಗಳನ್ನೂ ಚೂರ್ನಮಾಡಿದನು. ನಂತರ ಅವನು ಬಲಪ್ರಯೋಗದಿಂದ ಇನ್ನಿತರ ಆನೆಗಳನ್ನೂ ಹೊಡೆದುರುಳಿಸಿ, ನೂರಾರು ರಥಗಳನ್ನು ನಾಶಮಾಡಿದನು।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya battlefield ethos: decisive action and overwhelming strength can break an enemy’s protection and morale (symbolized by smashing a king’s paricchada). Ethically, it reflects the grim reality of dharma-in-war, where duty-driven combat entails large-scale destruction and the rapid reversal of fortune.
Sañjaya narrates that Bhīma, wielding his mace, destroys the royal gear of a king and then proceeds to strike down many elephants and hundreds of chariots by force, depicting Bhīma’s rampage and dominance in the battle.