Shloka 24

भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ६६: तुमुलसंग्रामवर्णनम्

The Tumult of Battle Described

Devanagari script

त॑ तथा भीमकर्माणं प्रगृहीतमहागदम्‌ । दृष्टवा वृकोदरं भीष्म: सहसैव समभ्ययात्‌

Transliteration

taṁ tathā bhīmakarmāṇaṁ pragṛhīta-mahāgadaṁ | dṛṣṭvā vṛkodaraṁ bhīṣmaḥ sahasaiva samabhyayāt ||

Translation

毗湿摩见“狼腹者”毗摩——以伟业著称——高举巨杵，便立刻冲向他。

Word by Word

• तथा: thus, in that manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• भीमकर्माणम्: the one of terrible deeds (Bhima)
• भीमकर्माणम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीमकर्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• प्रगृहीत: having seized/held
• प्रगृहीत: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ग्रह्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular, Past passive participle (kta), प्र

• महागदम्: a great mace
• महागदम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: महागदा
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश्
• Form: Absolutive (ktvā), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for absolutive)

• वृकोदरम्: Vrikodara (Bhima)
• वृकोदरम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृकोदर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• भीष्मः: Bhishma
• भीष्मः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सहसा: suddenly, swiftly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सहसा

• एव: indeed, just
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• समभ्ययात्: approached, came up to
• Type: Verb
• Root: या
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada, सम् + अभि

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Bhima (Vrikodara)
• Bhishma
• mace (gada)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma: when destructive force rises on the battlefield, a responsible warrior-leader does not shrink back but moves to confront it, aiming to contain harm through courage, discipline, and duty.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Bhīma, terrifying in prowess, is seen wielding a huge mace; upon seeing him, Bhīṣma immediately advances to engage him.