Shloka 53
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
रथा: पञ्चशताश्षान्ये ह्रादिनश्चर्मवर्मिण: । भीममभ्यद्रवन् घ्नन्त: शरपूगै: समन्तत:
rathāḥ pañcaśatāś cānye hrādinaś carmavarmiṇaḥ | bhīmam abhyadravan ghnantaḥ śarapūgaiḥ samantataḥ ||
ਤਦੋਂ ਚਮੜੇ ਦੇ ਕਵਚ ਨਾਲ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ, ਗੂੰਜਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਹੋਰ ਪੰਜ ਸੌ ਰਥ ਭੀਮ ਉੱਤੇ ਟੁੱਟ ਪਏ ਅਤੇ ਹਰ ਪਾਸੇ ਤੋਂ ਤੀਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਘਣੇ ਝੁੰਡਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਵਿੰਨ੍ਹਣ ਲੱਗੇ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh ethical terrain of battlefield dharma: collective force is marshalled to check a single powerful warrior, showing how courage and steadfastness are tested amid overwhelming opposition, and how war often prioritizes victory over fairness.
Sañjaya reports that a large contingent—five hundred chariot-warriors—charges Bhīma and assails him from all directions with concentrated arrow volleys, attempting to surround and suppress him.