Shloka 45
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
नागान् सप्तशतान् राजन्नीषादन्तान् प्रहारिण: । व्यधमत् सहसा भीम: क्रुद्धरूप: परंतप:
sañjaya uvāca |
nāgān saptśatān rājan nīṣādantān prahāriṇaḥ |
vyadhamat sahasā bhīmaḥ kruddharūpaḥ paraṃtapaḥ ||
三阇耶说道：“大王啊，毗摩怒相可怖、焚灼仇敌，骤然击倒七百头战象；它们善于冲击，象牙如车辕之杆。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how krodha (wrath) amplifies destructive capacity in war: even when framed within kṣatriya duty, unchecked fury turns combat into overwhelming slaughter, reminding the listener of war’s grave ethical burden and the need for inner restraint even amid righteous conflict.
Sañjaya reports to the king that Bhīma, enraged, suddenly annihilates a massive elephant force—seven hundred elephants described as formidable attackers with tusks compared to a chariot-pole—showing Bhīma’s terrifying momentum on the battlefield.