Shloka 46
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
दन्तवेष्टेषु नेत्रेषु कुम्भेषु च कटेषु च । मर्मस्वपि च मर्मज्ञस्तान्ू नागानवधीद् बली
dantaveṣṭeṣu netreṣu kumbheṣu ca kaṭeṣu ca | marmsv api ca marmajñas tān nāgān avadhīd balī ||
三阇耶说道：“强大的毗摩塞那深谙要害之处，挥锤击杀那些象王：或中其唇与目，或击其额颞之处（kumbha-sthāna），或落于两颊，以知弱制强，乱军中亦不失准。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the battlefield setting, victory often comes not merely from raw power but from disciplined knowledge and precise action—here, Bhīma’s marma-jñāna (knowledge of vital points) shows how skill and discernment can decisively overcome formidable opponents, while also highlighting the grim ethical weight of war where such knowledge is used to kill.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma fighting war-elephants and bringing them down by striking their vulnerable regions—lips/mouth area, eyes, temples (kumbha), and cheeks—using targeted mace-blows based on knowledge of vital points.