Shloka 52
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
भीमसेनं तव सुतो वारयामास संयुगे | तं तु भीमो मुहूर्तेन व्यश्वसूतरथध्वजम्
sañjaya uvāca | bhīmasenaṃ tava suto vārayāmāsa saṃyuge | taṃ tu bhīmo muhūrtena vyaśvasūtarathadhvajam cakre | lokeśvaraṃ tatra tenātuṣyanta vai janāḥ |
Disse Sañjaya: No auge do combate, teu filho procurou deter Bhīmasena. Mas Bhīma, em pouco tempo, despojou Duryodhana—senhor dos homens ali—de seus cavalos, de seu cocheiro, de seu carro e de seu estandarte. Ao verem o rei orgulhoso assim rebaixado, os que assistiam encheram-se de satisfação, pois era um triunfo momentâneo da proeza sobre a arrogância no campo de batalha.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how battlefield success can swiftly overturn royal pride: even a powerful king can be reduced to vulnerability in moments. It also shows how public sentiment in war often follows visible signs of dominance—such as disabling an opponent’s chariot—rather than deeper ethical reflection.
Duryodhana confronts and attempts to stop Bhīma in combat. Bhīma quickly disables Duryodhana’s chariot setup—horses, charioteer, chariot, and banner—leaving him effectively chariotless. Observers rejoice at this reversal.