Shloka 33
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
स भीमसेन: शुशुभे तोमरै रड्भमाश्रितै: । क्रोधदीप्तवपुर्मेचै: सप्तसप्तिरिवांशुमान्
sa bhīmasenaḥ śuśubhe tomarair raḍbhamāśritaiḥ | krodha-dīpta-vapur meghaiḥ sapta-saptir ivāṃśumān |
Wika ni Sañjaya: Nagningning si Bhīmasena, bagaman ang kanyang katawan ay tinusok ng mga tomara (sibat). Naglalagablab ang anyo niya sa poot, wari’y araw na hinihila ng pitong kabayo—na para bang natatakpan ng nagkakapal na ulap ngunit lalo pang tumitingkad—at ang kanyang galit at pagtitiis ay ginawang kakila-kilabot na karilagan ang mga sugat sa larangan ng digmaan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya endurance and steadfastness in battle: even when wounded, a warrior must not collapse into despair but maintain resolve. Ethically, it portrays how inner fire (controlled courage rather than mere rage) can transform suffering into strength, while also reminding that war magnifies both virtue (fortitude) and danger (unbridled anger).
Sañjaya describes Bhīma on the battlefield after being struck by tomara-spears that have lodged in his body. Instead of appearing diminished, Bhīma looks more formidable—his wrath makes him blaze like the sun, and the embedded weapons are compared to clouds around the seven-horsed sun, intensifying the dramatic scene.