Shloka 18
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — दुर्योधनस्य ह्रदप्रवेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue: Duryodhana’s Entry into the Lake
स विह्दलो महाराज रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् । सहदेवं तथा दृष्टवा भीमसेन: प्रतापवान्
sa viddhalo mahārāja rathopasthe upāviśat | sahadevaṃ tathā dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenaḥ pratāpavān |
सञ्जय उवाच—तस्याभिघातेन व्याकुलः सहेदेवो महाराज रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्। तं तथा दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनः प्रतापवान् क्रोधेन समभिदुद्रुवे; स च तव सर्वसैन्यानि वारयामास, शतशोऽथ सहस्रशो नाराचवर्षेण तान् विदारयामास।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya battlefield ethic where loyalty and protection of one’s kin (here, Bhīma toward Sahadeva) can become a powerful moral impulse, yet it also shows how quickly that impulse manifests as intensified violence—reminding readers that even righteous motives in war carry destructive consequences.
Sahadeva, struck by a blow, collapses onto his chariot-seat. Bhīma sees his brother’s wounded state, becomes enraged, halts the opposing advance, and unleashes a dense volley of nārāca arrows that rends the enemy formations.