Shloka 39
अर्जुनस्य शीघ्रप्रयाणं भीम-शकुनियुद्धं च
Arjuna’s Rapid Advance and the Bhīma–Śakuni Encounter
वारणं जघनोपान्ते विषाणाभ्यामिव द्विप: । उस समय शिनिपौत्र सात्यकि अपने बाणोंसे कर्णको पीड़ा देते हुए तुरंत उसके पीछे- पीछे गये, मानो कोई गजराज अपने दोनों दाँतोंसे दूसरे गजराजकी जाँघोंमें चोट पहुँचाता हुआ उसका पीछा कर रहा हो ।।
vāraṇaṁ jaghanopānte viṣāṇābhyām iva dvipaḥ | sa bhārata mahān āsīd yodhānāṁ sumahātmanām ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Gaya ng dambuhalang elepanteng tumatama sa may balakang ng isa pang elepante gamit ang dalawang pangil habang walang tigil na humahabol, gayon din ang humahabol na dumidiin mula sa likuran. Kaya, O Bhārata, sumiklab ang isang dakila at nakapanghihilakbot na sagupaan sa hanay ng mga mandirigmang mararangal ang loob—larawang nagpapakita na sa digmaan, ang lakas at walang-patid na paghabol ay maaaring manaig sa pagpipigil, bagaman ang bawat mandirigma’y nananatiling nakagapos sa dharma (tungkuling) pinili niya sa larangan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses an elephant simile to highlight the battlefield ethic of relentless engagement: once combat is joined, warriors driven by kṣatriya-duty pursue and press the advantage. It also implicitly warns how martial momentum can intensify violence, testing the boundary between valor and excess.
Sañjaya describes a fierce pursuit and close-quarters pressure in battle, likening it to an elephant striking another’s haunch with its tusks while following behind. The scene frames the ensuing encounter as a major clash among eminent warriors.