Shloka 23
Bhīṣma–Karṇa Saṃvāda on the Śaraśayyā (भीष्म–कर्ण संवादः शरशय्यायाम्)
ततो भीमो महेष्वास: फाल्गुनश्न महारथ: । कौरवाणां चमूं घोरां भृशं दुद्रुवतू रणे
sañjaya uvāca | tato bhīmo maheṣvāsaḥ phālgunaś ca mahārathaḥ | kauravāṇāṃ camūṃ ghorāṃ bhṛśaṃ dudruvatuḥ raṇe | ekaikaṃ tribhir ānarcchet kaṅkabarhiṇavājitaiḥ |
Sabi ni Sañjaya: Pagkaraan, si Bhīma, ang makapangyarihang mamamana, at si Phālguna (Arjuna), ang dakilang mandirigmang-karwahe, ay mariing nagtaboy sa kakila-kilabot na hukbo ng mga Kaurava sa labanan. Tinamaan nila ang bawat kalaban ng tigtatlong palaso na may balahibo ng buwitre, nagdulot ng matinding kirot at bumasag sa sigla ng paglusob ng kaaway. Sa pamamagitan ng disiplinadong husay at sabayang pagkilos, sinimulan nilang itaboy at wasakin ang nakapanghihilakbot na hukbong Kaurava sa larangan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds kṣatriya-dharma in action: disciplined strength and coordinated effort can check a larger force. Ethically, it illustrates how resolve and skill, when aligned with a just cause in the epic’s framing, can turn the tide against an oppressive host.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma and Arjuna press hard against the Kaurava formation, striking opponents with triple-arrow volleys and driving the army back on the battlefield, initiating a rout of the Kaurava troops in that phase of the fight.