Shloka 15
Bhagadatta’s Advance, the Saṃśaptaka Challenge, and Arjuna’s Counterstrike (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय २६)
तमापतत्तं नागेन्द्रमम्बुदप्रतिमस्वनम् । कुम्भान्तरे भीमसेनो नाराचैरार्दयद् भूशम्,वह गजराज मेघके समान गर्जना करनेवाला था। उसे अपनी ओर आते देख भीमसेनने उसके कुम्भस्थलमें नाराचोंद्वारा बड़ी चोट पहुँचायी
tam āpatattaṃ nāgendram ambuda-pratima-svanam | kumbhāntare bhīmaseno nārācair ārdayad bhṛśam ||
तमापतन्तं नागेन्द्रमम्बुदप्रतिमस्वनम्। कुम्भान्तरे भीमसेनो नाराचैरार्दयद् भूशम्॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya conduct in war: when confronted by a lethal, charging force, a warrior must respond swiftly and effectively. Ethical restraint in battle is balanced with the duty to protect one’s army and prevent greater harm.
Sañjaya narrates that a mighty elephant, roaring like a thundercloud, charges forward. Bhīma counters by shooting heavy nārāca arrows into the elephant’s temple region, striking it hard to stop or weaken the assault.