Shloka 26
Nakula’s Engagement with Citra-sena and Karṇa’s Sons; Śalya Re-stabilizes the Kaurava Host
गजानीकं महाराज वध्यमानं महात्मभि: । व्यदीर्यत दिश: सर्वा वातनुन्ना घना इव,महाराज! वायुके वेगसे छिन्न-भिन्न हुए बादलोंके समान महामनस्वी वीरोंके बाणोंसे घायल हुई गजसेना सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंमें विदीर्ण हो रही थी
gajānīkaṃ mahārāja vadhyamānaṃ mahātmabhiḥ | vyadīryata diśaḥ sarvā vātanunnā ghanā iva ||
Sañjaya sprach: O König, das Elefantenheer, von großgesinnten Helden niedergestreckt, wurde nach allen Richtungen zerrissen und auseinandergetrieben—wie Wolken, die vom Wind gejagt und von seiner Wucht zerfetzt werden.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of even formidable worldly power (an elephant-corps) under the momentum of violence and fate in war, suggesting that pride in strength and formations is unstable when confronted by determined force.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the elephant division is being heavily attacked by mighty warriors and is breaking apart in all directions, compared to clouds scattered and torn by strong winds.