Shloka 236
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
शक्रदेवाय चिक्षेप सर्वशैक्यायसीं गदाम् | जिसके घोड़े मारे गये थे, उसी रथपर खड़े हुए महाबली भीमसेनने शक्रदेवको लक्ष्य करके सम्पूर्णतः लोहेके सारतत्त्वकी बनी हुई अपनी गदा चलायी
śakradevāya cikṣepa sarvaśaikyāyasīṃ gadām |
Sañjaya disse: Bhīmasena, o guerreiro de grande poder, de pé no mesmo carro cujos cavalos haviam sido mortos, arremessou sua maça—inteiramente feita de ferro maciço—mirando Śakradeva (Indra). A cena ressalta o ímpeto implacável da batalha: mesmo em meio à perda e ao desarranjo, um kṣatriya avança com determinação inabalável, dirigindo sua força contra um adversário formidável de porte divino.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the battlefield ethic of the Mahābhārata, steadfastness (dhairya) and kṣatriya-dharma are highlighted: even when one’s chariot is compromised and circumstances are adverse, a warrior is expected to maintain resolve and act decisively rather than collapse into despair.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīmasena, positioned on a chariot whose horses have been killed, targets Śakradeva and throws his heavy iron mace at him, intensifying the close-quarters violence of the encounter.