Shloka 48
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
तान् स सप्तशतान् नागान् सारोहायुधकेतनान् | भूमिष्ठो गदया जघ्ने वज्नेणेन्द्र इवाचलान्
tān sa saptśatān nāgān sārohāyudhaketanān | bhūmiṣṭho gadayā jaghne vajreṇendra ivācalān ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “Nakatindig nang matatag sa lupa, pinabagsak ni Bhīmasena ang pitong daang elepanteng iyon—kasama ang mga sakay, sandata, at mga watawat—sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pamalo, gaya ni Indra na humahampas sa mga bundok gamit ang kanyang vajra.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of kṣatriya-dharma in epic warfare: when a battle is joined for a dharmic cause, decisive strength and fearlessness are praised. The Indra-simile elevates Bhīma’s action as a divinely comparable force, while also reminding that power in war is measured by its capacity to break seemingly immovable obstacles.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīmasena, though on foot, uses his mace to destroy a massive elephant contingent—seven hundred war-elephants—along with their riders, weapons, and standards, likening the slaughter to Indra striking mountains with the thunderbolt.