Shloka 18
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
शितैरवाकिरद् बाणै: कलिड्डानां वरूथिनीम् । कालिड्रस्तु महेष्वास: पुत्रश्नास्य महारथ:
śitair avākirad bāṇaiḥ kaliḍḍānāṃ varūthinīm | kāliḍras tu maheṣvāsaḥ putraśnāsya mahārathaḥ ||
তেওঁ তীক্ষ্ণ বাণৰ বৰষুণেৰে কলিঙ্গসকলৰ সেনা-বিন্যাস আচ্ছন্ন কৰি পেলালে; কিন্তু পুত্ৰশ্নাৰ পুত্ৰ, মহাধনুৰ্ধৰ আৰু মহাৰথী কালিঙ্গ বীৰ সেই আঘাতৰ সন্মুখীন হ’বলৈ অচল হৈ থিয় হৈ ৰ’ল।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness under pressure: disciplined courage and duty are measured not by ease but by endurance when faced with overwhelming force.
Sañjaya reports that a warrior showers the Kaliḍḍa battle-host with sharp arrows, while Kāliḍra—described as a mighty archer and great chariot-warrior, son of Putraśnā—stands as the notable opponent in that exchange.