Shloka 22

Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)

Devanagari script

भीमस्योपरि राजेन्द्र शक्रदेवो महाबल:

Transliteration

bhīmasyopari rājendra śakradevo mahābalaḥ

Translation

三阇耶说道：“大王啊，威力无边的释迦天（因陀罗）亲自临至，凌于毗摩之上，于那一刻护持照拂，俯察其行。”

Word by Word

• भीमस्य: of Bhima
• भीमस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• उपरि: upon/above
• उपरि: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उपरि

• राजेन्द्र: O king of kings (best of kings)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजेन्द्र
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• शक्रदेवः: Indra (the god Shakra)
• शक्रदेवः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्रदेव
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महाबलः: mighty/very strong
• महाबलः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाबल
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• Bhīma (Bhīmasena)
• Śakra (Indra)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the Mahābhārata theme that human valor in dharmic struggle may be accompanied by divine oversight; power and success are not merely personal but can reflect providential support aligned with a larger moral order.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Indra (Śakra), the powerful king of the gods, is positioned ‘above’ Bhīma—suggesting protection, encouragement, or a decisive divine presence connected with Bhīma’s actions in the battle context.