Shloka 22
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
भीमस्योपरि राजेन्द्र शक्रदेवो महाबल:
bhīmasyopari rājendra śakradevo mahābalaḥ
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai raja, Śakra sendiri—dewa perkasa yang berkuasa besar—telah berada di atas Bhīma, seolah-olah mengawasi serta menyokongnya pada saat itu.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata theme that human valor in dharmic struggle may be accompanied by divine oversight; power and success are not merely personal but can reflect providential support aligned with a larger moral order.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Indra (Śakra), the powerful king of the gods, is positioned ‘above’ Bhīma—suggesting protection, encouragement, or a decisive divine presence connected with Bhīma’s actions in the battle context.