Shloka 36
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
तस्य वारणराजस्य जवेनापततो रथे । शल्यो निवारयामास वेगमप्रतिमं शरै:,वह गजराज बड़े वेगसे शल्यके रथकी ओर झपटा। उस समय शल्यने अपने बाणोंद्वारा उसके अप्रतिम वेगको रोक दिया
tasya vāraṇarājasya javena āpatato rathe | śalyo nivārayāmāsa vegam apratimaṃ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: As that king of elephants charged at Śalya’s chariot with swift, surging force, Śalya checked its incomparable momentum with volleys of arrows.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the midst of war, raw force is not enough; disciplined skill and presence of mind can restrain even an overwhelming charge. The verse highlights controlled response—meeting danger with trained action rather than fear.
A powerful war-elephant (vāraṇarāja) rushes toward Śalya’s chariot at great speed. Śalya counters by shooting arrows that halt or blunt the elephant’s momentum, preventing it from crashing into the chariot.