Shloka 41
Śālva’s Elephant Assault and the Counterstroke (शाल्वस्य नागारूढाभ्यवहारः)
तेषामापततां तत्र संहृष्टानां परस्परम् । सम्मर्द: सुमहान् जज्ञे घोररूपो भयानक:,परस्पर हर्षमें भरकर एक-दूसरेपर आक्रमण करनेवाले उभयपक्षके सैनिकोंका वह घोर एवं महान् संघर्ष बड़ा भयंकर हुआ
teṣām āpatatāṁ tatra saṁhṛṣṭānāṁ parasparam | sammardaḥ sumahān jajñe ghorarūpo bhayānakaḥ ||
قال سنجيا: «ولمّا اندفع أولئك المحاربون، وقد استبدّ بهم الحماس، بعضُهم على بعضٍ هناك، نشأ ازدحامٌ عظيم في القتال—مروّع الهيئة، شديد الفزع.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how exhilaration and mutual antagonism in war rapidly intensify into a terrifying, uncontrollable melee, implicitly warning that unchecked passions (harṣa/utsāha joined with hatred) magnify suffering and obscure dharmic restraint.
Sañjaya describes both armies charging at each other with excitement; their collision produces a massive, chaotic close-quarters battle (sammarda) that is horrific and frightening.