Shloka 5
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
ततः कर्णमुखानू् दृष्ट्वा क्षत्रियान् युद्धदुर्मदान् । सम्पेततुरभीतौ तौ गजौ प्रतिगजानिव
tataḥ karṇamukhān dṛṣṭvā kṣatriyān yuddha-durmadān | sampetatū rabhītau tau gajau pratigajān iva ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Dann, als sie die von Karṇa angeführten Kṣatriya-Krieger sahen, die im Rausch der Schlacht übermütig geworden waren, stürzten die beiden Brüder furchtlos auf sie los, wie zwei brünstige Elefanten, die gegen gegnerische Elefanten anrennen.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights Kṣatriya-dharma as fearless confrontation in battle, while also warning that war can breed durmada—reckless pride or intoxication—which ethically clouds judgment and hastens destruction.
Karṇa and other battle-frenzied Kṣatriyas advance; in response, two brothers charge at them without fear, compared to two powerful elephants rushing against rival elephants.