Shloka 31
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
वारणा दशसाहस्रा: प्रभिन्नकरटामुखा: । शूरा हेममयैर्जललैर्दीप्पमाना इवाचला:
vāraṇā daśasāhasrāḥ prabhinnakaraṭāmukhāḥ | śūrā hemamayair jālaiḥ dīpyamānā ivācalāḥ ||
قال سانجيا: تقدّم عشرةُ آلافٍ من فيلةٍ ملوكيّة—شاهقة كالجِبال ومهيبة—تتفجّر من صدغيها سيولُ سائلِ الهيجان (المُست). شجاعةٌ متهيّئةٌ للقتال، تتلألأ كأنها مُضاءةٌ بأحزمةٍ وشُبَكٍ من ذهب، وتمضي خلف الملك يودهيشثيرا كغيومِ المونسون في موسمها.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily descriptive rather than doctrinal: it highlights how immense military resources and outward splendor (golden trappings, mighty elephants) can project power and confidence in war, while also reminding the listener that such grandeur is part of a larger, morally fraught conflict where true dharma is tested beyond mere display.
Sañjaya reports the movement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s forces: a massive contingent of ten thousand war-elephants follows behind the king, exuding rut-fluid and shining with golden netted ornaments, compared to monsoon clouds and mountains to convey their overwhelming presence.