Shloka 32
भीमस्य जलान्वेषणं तथा वनविश्रान्तिः
Bhīma’s Search for Water and the Forest Halt
ते गजा गिरिसंकाशा: क्षरन्तो रुधिरं बहु भीमसेनस्य गदया भिन्नमस्तकपिण्डका:
te gajā girisaṅkāśāḥ kṣaranto rudhiraṃ bahu bhīmasenasya gadayā bhinnamastakapiṇḍakāḥ
Vaiśaṃpāyana berkata: Gajah-gajah itu, besar laksana gunung, mengalirkan darah dengan banyaknya; tempurung kepala mereka hancur berkeping-keping dipukul gada Bhīmasena.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the terrifying efficacy of force in warfare: even the strongest creatures fall when struck by superior power and weaponry. Ethically, it invites reflection on the heavy cost of violence and the grim reality behind martial glory.
Vaiśampāyana describes elephants in battle that look like mountains but are bleeding profusely because Bhīmasena has struck them with his mace, shattering their skulls into pieces.