Shloka 1226
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
महाव्यूह: कलिज्रानामेकेन मृदितस्त्वया । “आपने अकेले अपनी ही भुजाओंके बल और पराक्रमसे कलिंगोंके उस महान् व्यूहको रौंदकर मिट्टीमें मिला दिया
sañjaya uvāca | mahāvyūhaḥ kaliṅgānām ekena mṛditas tvayā |
Sañjaya said: “You alone have crushed and trampled down the mighty battle-formation of the Kalingas. By the sheer strength and valor of your own arms you broke that dense array—packed with elephants, horses, and chariots—reducing it to ruin. Many among its troops were counted among the world’s eminent men, and innumerable steadfast, heroic warriors had taken shelter in that great formation.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the epic ideal of kṣatriya valor and battlefield competence: a single warrior’s disciplined strength and courage can overturn even a formidable, well-equipped formation. Ethically, it frames martial prowess as a duty-bound excellence within the war narrative, emphasizing resolve and capability rather than cruelty.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that one warrior (addressed as “you”) has single-handedly shattered the Kalingas’ massive battle-array, despite it being filled with elephants, horses, and chariots and defended by many renowned, steadfast fighters.