Shloka 42
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 29 — Arjuna’s defeat of Vṛṣaka–Acalā and the neutralization of Śakuni’s māyā
स करी भगदत्तेन प्रेर्यमाणो मुहुर्मुहुः । न करोति वचस्तस्य दरिद्रस्येव योषिता,वह हाथी बारंबार भगदत्तके हाँकनेपर भी उनकी आज्ञाका पालन नहीं करता था, जैसे दुष्टा स्त्री अपने दरिद्र स्वामीकी बात नहीं मानती है
sa karī bhagadattena preryamāṇo muhur muhuḥ | na karoti vacas tasya daridrasyeva yoṣitā ||
Sañjaya said: Though repeatedly urged on by Bhagadatta, that elephant would not carry out his command again and again—like a wayward wife who disregards the words of her impoverished husband.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that mere instruction is ineffective without the force of respect, capability, or rightful authority behind it. In ethical terms, it points to the limits of command when the commanded party is unwilling or unresponsive, and it uses a socially charged simile to stress the breakdown of obedience.
Sañjaya describes Bhagadatta repeatedly driving his elephant, yet the animal does not follow his orders. The comparison to a wife ignoring her poor husband emphasizes Bhagadatta’s frustration and the elephant’s refusal to act as directed in the midst of the battle scene.