Shloka 18
तथा तु विक्रम्य रणे वृकोदरो महागजं केसरिको यथैव । निगृहा दुःशासनमेकवीर: सुयोधनस्याधिरथे: समक्षम्
tathā tu vikramya raṇe vṛkodaro mahāgajaṃ kesariko yathaiva | nigṛhya duḥśāsanam ekavīraḥ suyodhanasyādhirathe samakṣam ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Sa gayon, matapos ipamalas ang kanyang lakas sa digmaan, si Vrikodara (Bhima), na gaya ng leon na sumasalakay sa dambuhalang elepante, ay sinunggaban si Duhshasana—mag-isa—sa harap mismo ni Suyodhana na nasa kanyang karwahe. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito ang marahas at personal na pagwawakas ng matagal nang panata ni Bhima, sa gitna ng malupit na batas ng digmaan, kung saan nagsasalpukan ang sinumpaang paghihiganti at ang tinatawag na katarungan sa larangan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim intersection of vow-bound justice and wartime duty: Bhīma’s relentless pursuit of Duḥśāsana reflects the power of sworn intent and accountability, while also exposing how dharma in war can become severe, personal, and morally costly.
Bhīma, after fighting fiercely, overpowers Duḥśāsana single-handedly in full view of Duryodhana on his chariot, compared to a lion attacking a great elephant—signaling the decisive moment leading toward Duḥśāsana’s downfall.