Shloka 66
Śalya–Bhīma Gadāyuddham (मद्रराज-भीमसेन गदायुद्धम्)
स दर्शयित्वा सैन्यानां स्वबाहुबलमात्मन: । तमुद्यम्य महाखड्गं चर्म चाथ पुनर्बली,शूर एवं बलवान् अभिमन्यु सैनिकोंको अपना बाहुबल दिखाकर पुनः विशाल खड़्ग और ढाल हाथमें ले अपने पिताके अत्यन्त वैरी वृद्धक्षत्रके पुत्र जयद्रथके सम्मुख उसी प्रकार चला, जैसे सिंह हाथीपर आक्रमण करता है
sa darśayitvā sainyānāṁ svabāhubalam ātmanaḥ | tam udyamya mahākhaḍgaṁ carma cātha punar balī | śūra evaṁ balavān abhimanyuḥ sainikānāṁ svabāhubalaṁ darśayitvā punaḥ viśālaṁ khaḍgaṁ ḍhālaṁ ca hastam ānīya svapitṛṇām atyantavairiṇaḥ vṛddhakṣatrasya putraṁ jayadrathaṁ sammukham evaṁ jagāma yathā siṁho hastinām ākrāmati ||
स दर्शयित्वा सैन्यानां स्वबाहुबलमात्मनः। तमुद्यम्य महाखड्गं चर्म चाथ पुनर्बली॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya resolve: a warrior demonstrates courage and readiness by relying on personal strength and advancing against a formidable foe. Ethically, it shows how duty to one’s side and inherited enmities can intensify violence, reminding readers that valor in war often operates within a tragic moral landscape.
Sañjaya describes Abhimanyu displaying his prowess to the troops, then taking up a large sword and shield and moving directly toward Jayadratha (son of Vṛddhakṣatra), portrayed as a fierce enemy connected to Abhimanyu’s father. The comparison to a lion charging an elephant emphasizes Abhimanyu’s fearless, aggressive advance.