Shloka 286
Daśame’hani Bhīṣma-yuddham — Śikhaṇḍī-rakṣaṇa, Arjuna-prabhāva, Duryodhana-āśraya-vākyam
लेलिहन् सृक्किणी वीरो मृगराडिव कानने । हाथियोंकी सेनाको आते देख वीर कुन्तीकुमार भीमसेन जैसे वनमें सिंह अपने जबड़ोंको चाटता है, उसी प्रकार मुँहके दोनों कोनोंको चाटने लगे
sañjaya uvāca |
lelihan sṛkkiṇī vīro mṛgarāḍ iva kānane |
सञ्जय उवाच—गजसेनां समापतन्तीं दृष्ट्वा कुन्तीपुत्रो भीमसेनो वीरः कानने मृगराडिव सृक्किणी लेलिहन्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma expressed as fearless readiness and steadfast resolve in the face of overwhelming forces; the lion-simile frames courage as disciplined power rather than panic.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma’s reaction as he sees the enemy’s elephant troops approaching: Bhīma licks the corners of his mouth like a lion in the forest, a vivid sign that he is eager and prepared to engage in combat.