Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 32
Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha
Verbal Duel and Omens
अन्योन्यमभिधावन्तौ मत्ताविव महाद्विपौ । वासितासंगमे दृप्ती शरदीव मदोत्कटौ
anyonyam abhidhāvantau mattāv iva mahādvipau | vāsitāsaṅgame dṛptī śaradīva madotkaṭau ||
Sañjaya sprach: Wie zwei große Elefanten, vom Rausch der Brunft trunken, die aufeinander zustürmen—stolz und rasend, wie im Herbst, wenn sie zur Vereinigung mit einem willigen Weibchen drängen—, so rückten jene beiden Helden, berauscht von der eigenen Kraft, vor, um zusammenzuprallen. Jeder, Bezwinger der Feinde, maß den anderen mit zornigem Blick, als speie er das lodernde Gift des Zorns wie zwei Schlangen.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pride in strength and unchecked anger can drive warriors into destructive collision, likening martial fury to animal rut and serpent-venom—an implicit warning that passion and wrath, when ungoverned by dharma, intensify violence and cloud discernment.
Sañjaya describes two opposing champions rushing at each other for a direct clash. Their mutual charge and hostile staring are portrayed through vivid similes: musth-maddened elephants seeking combat and serpents spewing the poison of blazing rage.