Shloka 110
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
ततः शरसहस््रेण संनिवार्य महारथान् । हयान् काञ्चनसंनाहान् भीमस्य न््यहनच्छरै:
tataḥ śarasahasreṇa saṃnivārya mahārathān | hayān kāñcanasaṃnāhān bhīmasya nyahanaccharaiḥ ||
Sañjaya disse: Então, com mil flechas, Bhīṣma conteve aqueles grandes guerreiros de carro; e depois, com seus dardos, abateu os cavalos de Bhīma, adornados com arreios de ouro. O episódio ressalta a precisão implacável do dharma no campo de batalha, em que incapacitar a mobilidade — mais do que buscar glória pessoal — torna-se uma tática decisiva e eticamente carregada.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a key aspect of kshatriya battlefield dharma: victory often depends on disciplined strategy—such as immobilizing an opponent by targeting horses—rather than mere display of valor. It also reflects the harsh ethical terrain of war, where effective action can be devastating yet considered legitimate within the accepted rules of combat.
Sanjaya reports that Bhishma unleashes a dense volley of arrows to halt three great warriors, and then shoots down Bhima’s gold-harnessed horses, crippling Bhima’s chariot mobility and shifting the tactical balance in that exchange.