Shloka 23
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
ववर्ष शरवर्षाणि तपान्ते जलदो यथा । राजेन्द्र! जैसे गर्मीके अन्तमें बादल पानीकी बूँदें बरसाता है, उसी प्रकार महाबली शक्रदेव भीमसेनके ऊपर बाणोंकी वृष्टि करने लगा || २२ है ।।
sañjaya uvāca | vavarṣa śaravarṣāṇi tapānte jalado yathā | rājendra! yathā garmīke ante meghaḥ jalabindūn varṣati, tathā mahābalī śakradevo bhīmasenasyopari bāṇavṛṣṭiṃ cakāra | hataśve tu rathe tiṣṭhan bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ |
Wika ni Sañjaya: “O hari! Kung paanong ang ulap-ulan sa dulo ng naglalagablab na tag-init ay bumubuhos ng patak ng tubig, gayon din si Śakra na makapangyarihan ay nagpaulan ng mga palaso nang walang tigil sa ibabaw ni Bhīmasena. At si Bhīma, na dakila ang lakas, ay nanatiling matatag sa kanyang karwahe kahit napatay na ang mga kabayo nito.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya steadfastness under adversity: even when circumstances collapse (a chariot’s horses slain), a warrior is expected to remain composed and resolute, meeting force with courage rather than despair.
Sañjaya describes a fierce exchange in battle: a mighty opponent, likened to Indra, rains arrows upon Bhīma like a monsoon cloud after summer heat, while Bhīma continues to stand on his chariot despite the loss of its horses.