Shloka 48
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
तान् स सप्तशतान् नागान् सारोहायुधकेतनान् | भूमिष्ठो गदया जघ्ने वज्नेणेन्द्र इवाचलान्
tān sa saptśatān nāgān sārohāyudhaketanān | bhūmiṣṭho gadayā jaghne vajreṇendra ivācalān ||
Sañjaya disse: “De pé, firme sobre o chão, Bhīmasena abateu com sua maça aqueles setecentos elefantes senhoriais—com seus cavaleiros, armas e estandartes—assim como Indra, com seu vajra, fere as montanhas.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of kṣatriya-dharma in epic warfare: when a battle is joined for a dharmic cause, decisive strength and fearlessness are praised. The Indra-simile elevates Bhīma’s action as a divinely comparable force, while also reminding that power in war is measured by its capacity to break seemingly immovable obstacles.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīmasena, though on foot, uses his mace to destroy a massive elephant contingent—seven hundred war-elephants—along with their riders, weapons, and standards, likening the slaughter to Indra striking mountains with the thunderbolt.