Shloka 9
Śālva’s Elephant Assault and the Counterstroke (शाल्वस्य नागारूढाभ्यवहारः)
अश्वानन्ये गजानन्ये रथानन्ये महारथा: । आरुहा[ जवसम्पन्ना: पादाता: प्राद्रवंस्तथा
aśvān anye gajān anye rathān anye mahārathāḥ | ārūhya javasampannāḥ pādātāḥ prādravan tathā ||
Sañjaya sprach: Einige bestiegen Pferde, andere Elefanten, und wieder andere stiegen auf die Wagen. Da stürmten die großen Krieger, ebenso wie die flinken Fußsoldaten, voran—ein jeder nahm das ihm gemäße Mittel des Kampfes.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined readiness in war: each fighter takes up the appropriate role—horse, elephant, chariot, or foot—showing coordinated action and the kṣatriya ideal of prompt engagement in one’s appointed duty.
Sañjaya reports the armies’ movement as the battle intensifies: warriors mount their respective vehicles while swift infantry run forward, indicating a collective advance into combat.