Shloka 27
द्रोणपर्व (अध्याय ११२) — कर्णभीमयोर्युद्धम्, दुर्योधनस्य रक्षणादेशः
Droṇa-parva 112: Karṇa–Bhīma Engagement and Duryodhana’s Protective Order
वध्यमाना महाराज पाण्डवा: सृञज्जयास्तथा । त्रातारं नाध्यगच्छन्त पड़कमग्ना इव द्विपा:,महाराज! उस समय द्रोणाचार्यकी मार खाते हुए पाण्डव और सूंजय सैनिक कीचड़में फँसे हुए हाथियोंके समान कोई रक्षक न पा सके
vadhyamānā mahārāja pāṇḍavāḥ sṛñjayās tathā | trātāraṃ nādhyagacchanta paṅkamagnā iva dvipāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, as they were being struck down, the Pāṇḍavas and the Sṛñjayas could find no protector—like elephants sunk in mire, unable to gain firm ground or rescue.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how, in war, even mighty warriors can become helpless when leadership and protection fail; strength without support and clear strategy can collapse, like elephants losing footing in mud. Ethically, it highlights the vulnerability created by violence and the responsibility of commanders to safeguard those who follow them.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍavas and their Sṛñjaya allies, under heavy assault, were unable to find any effective rescuer or stabilizing support, and their predicament is compared to elephants trapped in mire.