Shloka 23
भीमस्य जलान्वेषणं तथा वनविश्रान्तिः
Bhīma’s Search for Water and the Forest Halt
(दुःशासनं च दशभिर्विकर्ण विंशकै: शरै: | शकुनिं विंशकैस्ती&णैर्दशभिर्मर्म भेदिभि: ।।
tatas tu nāgarāḥ sarve musalair yaṣṭibhis tadā | abhyavarṣanta kauravyān varṣamāṇā ghanā iva ||
于是城中百姓尽皆执杵持棒，扑向俱卢诸军，棍击如雨倾下——恰似载雨重云倾泻不止。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When adharma and aggression spill into public life, collective anger can erupt into mob-like retaliation. The verse hints at the ethical danger of violence spreading beyond trained warriors to ordinary citizens, destabilizing social order and multiplying harm.
After the preceding combat actions, the city’s inhabitants themselves join the attack, striking the Kauravas with clubs and staves, described as a ‘rain’ of blows like clouds pouring down.