Shloka 45
Śālva’s Elephant Assault and the Counterstroke (शाल्वस्य नागारूढाभ्यवहारः)
परिवार्य रणे भीम॑ निजध्नुस्ते समन््ततः । स वध्यमान: समरे पदातिगणसंवृत:
parivārya raṇe bhīmaṁ nijaghnus te samantataḥ | sa vadhyamānaḥ samare padātigaṇasaṁvṛtaḥ ||
سنجے نے کہا—میدانِ جنگ میں انہوں نے بھیم کو چاروں طرف سے گھیر کر ہر سمت سے اس پر وار کیے؛ اور وہ پیادوں کے جتھوں میں گھرا ہوا، لڑائی میں ضربیں سہتا رہا۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of kṣatriya warfare: a hero may be surrounded and relentlessly attacked, yet must endure and act with steadfast courage. Ethically, it underscores both the valor expected on the battlefield and the sobering cost of violence when many converge to bring down a single warrior.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma being encircled in battle and struck from all sides. Bhīma is hemmed in by groups of infantry, indicating a coordinated attempt to overwhelm him amid the larger clash.