Adhyāya 35 — Bhīmasena’s Counter-Encirclement and the Karṇa Engagement Escalation
यदा द्रक्ष्यसि भीमेन कुज्जरानीकमाहवे
yadā drakṣyasi bhīmena kuñjarānīkam āhave
Шалья сказал: «Когда в самой гуще боя ты увидишь, как Бхима сокрушает слоновий корпус, тогда поймёшь истинную тяжесть его мощи и опасность недооценить праведный гнев, вырвавшийся на войне.»
शल्य उवाच
The verse warns against complacency in war: true strength is known by direct encounter, and pride that dismisses an opponent invites ruin. It also underscores the ethical seriousness of battle—might, once unleashed, has irreversible consequences.
Śalya addresses his listener (contextually, within the Karṇa Parva exchanges) and points to a coming battlefield sight: Bhīma confronting and overwhelming an elephant-division. The line functions as a forewarning meant to correct misjudgment about Bhīma’s capacity in combat.