Shloka 18
भीमसेनस्य वेगाभिपातः—विशोकसारथिसंवादश्च
Bhīma’s surge and dialogue with charioteer Viśoka
अथान्यद् धनुरादाय श्रुतिकीर्तिमहारथ:
athānyad dhanur ādāya śrutikīrtimahārathaḥ
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian Śrutakīrti, sang maharathi (pahlawan kereta perang agung), mengambil pula busur yang lain—tanda tekad yang tidak terputus untuk meneruskan pertempuran walau senjata gagal, serta cerminan dharma kesatria: keteguhan di tengah tuntutan medan perang yang keras.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The line highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness: when one weapon is lost or broken, the warrior does not collapse into despair but takes up another and continues, valuing duty and resolve over comfort or fear.
Sañjaya narrates that a renowned great chariot-warrior takes up a different bow, implying a moment in combat where a change of weapon is necessary and the battle continues without pause.