Shloka 41
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
ततः क्रुद्धो रणे भीम॑ क्षेमधूर्ति: पराभिनत् | जघान चास्य द्विरदं नाराचै: सर्वमर्मसु
tataḥ kruddho raṇe bhīmaṃ kṣemadhūrtiḥ parābhinat | jaghāna cāsya dviradaṃ nārācaiḥ sarvamarmasu ||
Sanjaya berkata: Lalu Kṣemadhūrti, marah membara di medan perang, menyerbu Bhīmasena dengan ganas. Dia juga menikam gajah Bhima dengan anak-anak panah nārāca pada semua titik nyawanya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the escalation of violence driven by anger (krodha) in war: tactical success may come through ruthless targeting (even of mounts), but it deepens the ethical burden of battle and illustrates how wrath can override restraint.
Sañjaya reports that the warrior Kṣemadhūrti, enraged, attacks Bhīmasena and then pierces Bhīma’s elephant with heavy nārāca arrows at its vital points, effectively disabling or killing the mount in the midst of combat.