Shloka 2
Śalya-parva Adhyāya 26 — Duryodhana’s remnant formation and rapid engagements
चरन्तं च तथा दृष्टवा भीमसेनमरिंदमम् | दण्डहस्तं यथा क्रुद्धमन्तकं प्राणहारिणम्
carantaṃ ca tathā dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenam ariṃdamam | daṇḍahastaṃ yathā kruddham antakaṃ prāṇahāriṇam ||
சஞ்சயன் கூறினான்—அவ்வாறு அலைந்து திரியும் பகைநசிப்பவன் பீமசேனனைப் பார்த்தால், கையில் கதையைத் தாங்கி, அவன் கோபமுற்ற அந்தகன்—உயிர் பறிப்பவன்—போலத் தோன்றினான்.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical weight of war: when dharma-driven conflict reaches its climax, a warrior’s righteous resolve can appear as inexorable death itself. It reminds the listener that battlefield prowess is not mere aggression but a grave, consequential force.
Sañjaya reports what he sees: Bhīma is moving about the battlefield with his mace, terrifying in aspect. His presence is compared to Antaka (Death), emphasizing his lethal momentum against the enemy.