Shloka 17
Bhagadatta’s Advance, the Saṃśaptaka Challenge, and Arjuna’s Counterstrike (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय २६)
तस्यावर्जितनागस्य म्लेच्छस्याध: पतिष्यत: । शिरश्रिच्छेद भल्लेन क्षिप्रकारी वृकोदर:,वह म्लेच्छजातीय अंग हाथीसे अलग नहीं हुआ था। उस हाथीके साथ-साथ वह नीचे गिरना ही चाहता था कि शीघ्रकारी भीमसेनने एक भल्लके द्वारा उसका सिर काट दिया
tasyāvarjita-nāgasya mlecchasyādhaḥ patiṣyataḥ | śiraś ciccheda bhallena kṣiprakārī vṛkodaraḥ ||
तस्यावर्जितनागस्य म्लेच्छस्याधः पतिष्यतः। शिरश्छेद भल्लेन क्षिप्रकारी वृकोदरः॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the war setting, the verse highlights kṣatriya pragmatism: when a dangerous opponent is vulnerable yet still a threat, swift and decisive action is taken to end the danger. It reflects the harsh ethical landscape of battle, where delay can cost lives.
A Mleccha fighter, still clinging to or positioned with his elephant, is falling. At that moment Bhīma (Vṛkodara), acting quickly, strikes with a bhalla and cuts off the man’s head.