Shloka 37
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
न भीम समरे मेने मानुषं भरतर्षभ । ततो भीमो महाबारहुर्न्दित्वा विपुलं स्वनम्
sañjaya uvāca | na bhīmaṃ samare mene mānuṣaṃ bharatarṣabha | tato bhīmo mahābāhur naditvā vipulaṃ svanam |
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “O toro sa mga Bharata, sa labang iyon hindi inakala ng mga mandirigma si Bhīma na karaniwang tao, kundi tila isang nilalang na may kapangyarihang makalangit. Pagkaraan, ang makapangyarihang si Bhīma, matapos magpalabas ng nakagigimbal na ungol, ay sumugod—may tabak sa kamay—lumundag nang buong lakas, kumapit sa mga pangil ng haring elepante, at umakyat sa ibabaw ng ulo nito.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of fearless valor and the psychological power of extraordinary courage: when a warrior’s strength and resolve exceed ordinary limits, observers perceive him as ‘more than human,’ underscoring how prowess and steadfastness can inspire awe and shift morale in war.
Sañjaya reports that the troops, astonished by Bhīma’s ferocity, no longer see him as merely human. Bhīma roars loudly, rushes forward with a sword, and—using the elephant’s tusks as support—leaps up and climbs onto the head of the elephant-king.