Shloka 60
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
नागं जिघांसु: सहसा चिक्षेप च महाबल: । उस महाबली निशाचरने हाथीको मार डालनेकी इच्छासे एक निर्मल त्रिशूल हाथमें लिया, जो पर्वतोंको भी विदीर्ण करनेवाला था। फिर सहसा उसे चला दिया ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
nāgaṃ jighāṃsuḥ sahasā cikṣepa ca mahābalaḥ |
sa visphuliṅgamālābhiḥ samantāt pariveṣṭitaḥ |
taṃ sahasā svopari āyāntaṃ dṛṣṭvā prāgjyotiṣapurasya nareśo bhagadatto 'tyanta-bhayaṅkaraṃ tīkṣṇaṃ sundaraṃ cārdhacandrākāraṃ bāṇam acikṣipat |
सञ्जय उवाच—नागं जिघांसुः स महाबलो निशाचरः सहसा विमलं त्रिशूलं चिक्षेप, यद् गिरीणामपि दारणम्। स च विस्फुलिङ्गमालाभिः समन्तात् परिवेष्टितो वेगेनाभ्यपतत्। तमात्मनि सहसापतन्तं दृष्ट्वा प्राग्ज्योतिषाधिपो भगदत्तो नृपतिः सुदारुणं तीक्ष्णं रुचिरमर्धचन्द्राकारं बाणं चिक्षेप।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a dharma-framed war, a ruler’s duty includes swift protection of self and forces; lethal aggression invites immediate, proportionate counteraction, highlighting responsibility and consequence rather than hesitation.
A powerful attacker hurls a spark-wreathed trident to kill the war-elephant; Bhagadatta of Pragjyotisha sees it coming at him and counters by shooting a sharp, crescent-shaped arrow.