Shloka 28
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
मदान्धा रोषसंरब्धा विषाणाग्रैर्महाहवे । बिभिदुर्दन्तमुसलै: समासाद्य परस्परम्
sañjaya uvāca |
madāndhā roṣasaṃrabdhā viṣāṇāgrair mahāhave |
bibhidur dantamusalaiḥ samāsādya parasparam ||
Sañjaya sprach: In jener großen Schlacht schlossen die Elefanten—von Brunft geblendet und vom Zorn getrieben—aufeinander auf und, Stirn an Stirn, zerrissen sie einander mit den Spitzen ihrer Stoßzähne, wie mit Keulen. Das Bild zeigt, wie ungezügelte Wut und Rausch im Krieg lebendige Kraft in gegenseitige Vernichtung verwandeln.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral danger of mada (intoxication/frenzy) and roṣa (anger): when these dominate, even great power becomes self-destructive, producing mutual harm rather than purposeful action.
Sañjaya describes a battlefield moment where enraged, musth-driven elephants charge and clash at close quarters, ripping and splitting each other with their tusks, which are compared to heavy clubs.