Shloka 11
भीष्मस्य दुर्योधनं प्रति उपालम्भः
Bhīṣma’s Reproof to Duryodhana
कुण्जरैर्दशसाहसैर्वज्रानामधिप: स्वयम् । उसके पीछे मदकी धारा बहानेवाले पर्वताकार दस हजार गजराजोंकी सेना लिये स्वयं वंगदेशका राजा भी गया ।। १० है || तमापततन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य गजानीकेन संवृतम्
kuñjarair daśasāhasair vajrāṇām adhipaḥ svayam | tasya paścāt madakī-dhārā-vahane parvatākāre daśasahasra-gajarājānīkaṃ gṛhītvā svayaṃ vaṅgadeśa-rājāpi yayau || tam āpatantaṃ samprekṣya gajānīkena saṃvṛtam ||
Sanjaya said: The lord of the Vajras advanced, accompanied by ten thousand elephants. Behind him too went the king of Vaṅga, himself leading an army of ten thousand mountain-like lordly elephants, streaming the rut-fluid of musth. Seeing that force rushing forward, enclosed by its elephant-corps, the warriors beheld a terrifying surge of martial power.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how displays of sheer force—symbolized by massive elephant divisions—can create overwhelming momentum in war. Ethically, it cautions that when power and intimidation dominate, discernment about dharma and rightful conduct is easily pushed aside, even for kings acting under the banner of kṣatriya duty.
Sañjaya describes allied kings advancing in the Kurukṣetra war. First comes the leader of the Vajras with ten thousand elephants; behind him advances the king of Vaṅga, personally leading another ten thousand huge, musth-streaming elephants. The scene emphasizes a charging formation protected and defined by an elephant-corps.