Shloka 38
Śālva’s Elephant Assault and the Counterstroke (शाल्वस्य नागारूढाभ्यवहारः)
तच्छुत्वा तव पुत्रस्य शूरार्यसदृशं वच: । सारथिहेंमसंछन्नान् शनैरश्वानचोदयत्,राजन! आपके पुत्रका यह श्रेष्ठ वीरोचित वचन सुनकर सारथिने सोनेके साज-बाजसे सजे हुए घोड़ोंको धीरे-धीरे आगे बढ़ाया
tac chrutvā tava putrasya śūrāryasadṛśaṃ vacaḥ | sārathir hemasaṃchannān śanair aśvān acodayat, rājan |
قال سنجيا: «يا أيها الملك، لما سمع السائق كلمات ابنك النبيلة التي تليق بالمحاربين، دفع الخيل المزيّنة والمغطّاة بحُلَلٍ من ذهب إلى الأمام رويدًا رويدًا.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights controlled martial conduct: even after hearing a rousing, noble call to action, the charioteer advances slowly and deliberately, implying discipline, coordination, and strategic restraint rather than impulsive aggression.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that, upon hearing the heroic words of the king’s son, the charioteer gently drives the gold-adorned horses forward, moving the chariot into position for the next phase of battle.