Shloka 73
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
स कार्मुकवरोत्सूष्टर्नवभिर्निशितै: शरै:,महाराज! महामना कलिंगराजके द्वारा श्रेष्ठ धनुषसे छोड़े हुए नौ तीखे बाणोंसे घायल हो भीमसेन डंडेकी चोट खाये हुए सर्पकी भाँति अत्यन्त कुपित हो उठे
sa kārmukavarotsṛṣṭair navabhir niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ, mahārāja! mahāmanā kaliṅgarājena bhīmaseno daṇḍāhataḥ sarpa iva atyantaṃ kupito 'bhavat.
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai Raja, terkena sembilan anak panah setajam mata pisau yang dilepaskan dari busur unggul oleh raja Kaliṅga, Bhīmasena yang berhati besar pun menyala dalam amarah yang dahsyat—bagaikan ular yang dibangkitkan oleh hentakan tongkat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how physical harm and insult can inflame anger, and implicitly points to the ethical challenge in war: a warrior must act according to duty while guarding against uncontrolled wrath that can cloud judgment and lead to excess.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīma has been wounded by nine sharp arrows shot from a fine bow by the king of Kaliṅga, and Bhīma reacts with intense fury, compared to a serpent struck with a staff.