Shloka 53
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
श्रुत्वा स निनदं घोरममर्षादू गतसाध्वस: । भगदत्तो महेष्वास: स्वनागं प्रत्यचोदयत्,राजन! क्रोधमें भरकर आक्रमण करनेवाले, अमर्षशील उन पाण्डवोंका वह घोर सिंहनाद सुनकर महाधनुर्धर भगदत्तने अमर्षवश बिना किसी भयके अपने हाथीको उनकी ओर बढ़ाया
śrutvā sa ninadaṃ ghoraṃ amarṣād u gata-sādhvasaḥ | bhagadatto maheṣvāsaḥ sva-nāgaṃ pratyacodayat, rājan |
Sañjaya nói: “Tâu Đại vương, nghe tiếng gầm ghê rợn ấy, Bhagadatta—bậc đại cung thủ—bị thúc đẩy bởi phẫn khí và amarsa (kiêu hãnh bị tổn thương), không chút sợ hãi, liền thúc voi chiến của mình tiến về phía các Pāṇḍava.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse implicitly contrasts fearlessness with the motive behind it: Bhagadatta’s courage arises from amarṣa (indignant wrath). It suggests that bravery in war can be ethically ambiguous when fueled by anger and wounded pride rather than disciplined duty.
After hearing the Pāṇḍavas’ terrifying battle-cry, Bhagadatta—renowned as a great archer—responds immediately by driving his elephant forward to engage them, as Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra.