Shloka 6
Bhagadatta’s Advance, the Saṃśaptaka Challenge, and Arjuna’s Counterstrike (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय २६)
ते गजा गिरिसंकाशा: क्षरन्त: सर्वतो मदम् । भीमसेनस्य नाराचैविंमुखा विमदीकृता:,वे पर्वतके समान विशालकाय हाथी सब ओर मदकी धारा बहा रहे थे; परंतु भीमसेनके नाराचोंसे विद्ध होनेपर उनका सारा मद उतर गया। वे युद्धसे विमुख होकर भाग चले
te gajā girisaṅkāśāḥ kṣarantaḥ sarvato madam | bhīmasenasya nārācair vimukhā vimadīkṛtāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Those elephants, huge as mountains, were streaming rut-fluid on every side. But when pierced by Bhīmasena’s sharp arrows, their intoxication drained away; losing their battle-fury, they turned from the fight and fled.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power driven by intoxication and pride (mada) is unstable; disciplined courage and effective action can dissolve arrogance and panic even in seemingly unstoppable forces.
Mountain-like war-elephants, initially raging in musth, are struck by Bhīmasena’s arrows; their battle-fury subsides, and they turn away from combat and run.