Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

निकृत्य तु रणे भीमस्तोमरान्‌ वै चतुर्दश

Transliteration

nikṛtya tu raṇe bhīmas tomarān vai caturdaśa

Translation

三阇耶说道：在激战之中，毗摩击倒敌手，摧毁了十四支长枪——显出他凶猛的冲势，以及战争那种不断粉碎兵刃的残酷之力。

Word by Word

• निकृत्य: having cut down / having slain
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि√कृत्
• Form: ल्यप् (क्त्वा-र्थे), कर्तरि, absolutive (gerund)

• तु: but / indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• रणे: in battle
• रणे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रण
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• भीमः: Bhima
• भीमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• तोमरान्: javelins / spears
• तोमरान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोमर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• वै: indeed / surely
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै

• चतुर्दश: fourteen
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर्दश
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural, with तोमरान्

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīma
• tomara (spears/javelins)
• raṇa (battlefield)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the grim reality of kṣatriya warfare: valor is shown through decisive action and endurance amid lethal exchanges. It also hints at the ethical tension of the epic—heroic prowess is celebrated, yet it unfolds within a tragic, escalating violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports a battlefield moment where Bhīma, in combat, cuts down the opponent(s) and breaks or neutralizes fourteen spears (tomaras), emphasizing his strength and the intensity of the engagement.