Śālva’s Elephant Assault and the Counterstroke (शाल्वस्य नागारूढाभ्यवहारः)
सो<वतीर्य रथात् तूर्ण पदाति: समवस्थित: । जातरूपप्रतिच्छन्नां प्रगृह्ा महतीं गदाम्
so ’vatīrya rathāt tūrṇaṃ padātiḥ samavasthitaḥ | jātarūpapraticchannāṃ pragṛhya mahatīṃ gadām ||
قال سنجيا: هبط سريعًا عن عربته، وثبت على قدميه، ثم قبض على هراوة عظيمة مكسوّة بالذهب، وتهيّأ لمرحلة القتال التالية.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights steadfast courage and readiness to face conflict directly: when circumstances change, a warrior adapts without losing resolve, embodying disciplined determination within the harsh demands of kṣatriya-duty in war.
A combatant quickly dismounts from his chariot, stands on foot, and grips a large gold-sheathed mace—signaling a transition to close-range fighting and an escalation in personal, hand-to-hand engagement.