MADHWAVIJAYA PRATHAMAHA SARGAHA – SHLOKAS 40, 41 AND 42

(In these Shlokas, the bravery of Bhima is further described with the instances of destruction of Keechaka and others. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

AThaiSha vEShAntaraBhalmaleenaha kramENa vAyupraBhavaha sutEjAha|

RudhDhAKhilAsham muKharam prachanDam BhasmeechakArAKhilakeechakauGham||40||

Later, like the ash-masked fire erupts suddenly with the blowing of wind, rises its flames up to the sky and burns into ashes the bamboo plantation in forest that produce a shrill sound when the breeze passes through them, Bhima was incognito for some time and gradually began displaying his prowess; he charred the groups of Keechaka-led demons, which were till then invincible, roaring without any sense or reason and were very cruel indeed.

The first word ‘aTha’ of this shloka refers to the destruction of Keechaka during the incognito exile or Ajnatavasa of Pandavas.

About Keechaka: Keechaka was the son of the King of Kekaya and his queen by name Malavi. He had 105 brothers and a sister called Sudeshne, who was the wife of King Virata. Keechaka and his 105 brothers were all living in the palace of Virata. Keechaka had been appointed as commander of the army of King Virata. He was very strong, powerful and brave.    

Sa KruShNavartmA vijayEna yuktO muhurmahAhEtiDharO(a)praDhruShyaha|

BheeShmadwijAdyairatiBheeShaNABham vipakShakakSham kShapayan virEjE||41||

Bhimasena, who was always victorious, carrying special weapons and always trod on the path that impressed Lord Sri Krishna, along with Arjuna and Lord Krishna, destroyed again and again the members of the camp of enemies that consisted of Bheeshma, Drona and others  like wildfire burns into ashes the wild animals in the forests of foes.

The poet has emphasised in this Sholka that Arjuna and Bhima were the chief wreckers of the huge army of Kauravas and out of the two, the role played by Bhima was extraordinary. It can be recalled in this context that all the one hundred sons of Dhrutarashtra were killed by Bhima alone. The poet has categorically mentioned here that it was Bhimasena, the incarnation of Lord Vayu, who was responsible for the victory achieved by the Pandavas.      

Taraswinaha prOchchalitAnaDheerAn nirdagDhapakShAnatiteekShNakOpAn|

Sa DhArtarAShTrAn bahuhEtileelO vinAshya vishwAn parayA shriyA(Sa)BhAt||42||

Bhimasena, who roams about with a variety of war weapons, lost the powerful but heart-broken Bheesma and other elderly, respectable persons; however, by killing the distempered yet very valiant Kauravas, Bhimasena glittered with the recovery of lost empire.