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 ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian Bhagadatta, dibakar amarah, memukul Mādhava (Kṛṣṇa) dalam pertempuran dengan anak panah yang tajam—seperti pawang gajah mencucuk gajah besar dengan galah penggiring (ankusha). Perumpamaan ini menegaskan keganasan dan keberanian serangan itu, sambil menggambarkan Kṛṣṇa tetap teguh dan perkasa walau sengaja diprovokasi di tengah hiruk-pikuk perang.
संजय उवाच
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.