Shloka 15
अध्याय ८० — मध्यंदिन-रणवृत्तान्तः
Yudhiṣṭhira–Śrutāyu encounter; Cekitāna–Gautama clash; Abhimanyu pressure; Arjuna’s redeployment
तेषां व्यवसितं ज्ञात्वा भीमसेनो जिघृक्षताम् । समस्तानां वधे राजन् मतिं चक्रे महामना:,राजन! उन्हें कैद करनेकी इच्छावाले क्षत्रियोंके उस निश्चयको जानकर महामना भीमसेनने उन सबके वधका विचार कर लिया
teṣāṁ vyavasitaṁ jñātvā bhīmaseno jighṛkṣatām | samastānāṁ vadhe rājan matiṁ cakre mahāmanāḥ ||
Sañjaya disse: Ó rei, ao compreender a firme determinação daqueles guerreiros que desejavam capturá-los e levá-los cativos, o magnânimo Bhīmasena decidiu em seu íntimo matar a todos.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim moral calculus of warfare: when opponents intend to capture and neutralize, a warrior like Bhima may judge decisive lethal action as necessary for protection and strategic survival. It reflects kshatriya-dharma under battlefield pressure, where intent and threat shape the chosen response.
Sanjaya reports to the king that Bhima learns the enemy warriors have resolved to seize the Pandavas (or their side) alive. In response, Bhima forms a counter-decision: to kill them all rather than allow capture.