Shloka 456
Śālva’s Elephant Assault and the Counterstroke (शाल्वस्य नागारूढाभ्यवहारः)
न चचाल ततः स्थानान्मैनाक इव पर्वत: । उन्होंने रणभूमिमें भीमसेनको चारों ओरसे घेरकर उनपर प्रहार आरम्भ कर दिया। समरांगणमें पैदल सैनिकोंसे घिरे हुए भीमसेन उनके अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंकी चोट सहते हुए भी मैनाक पर्वतके समान अपने स्थानसे विचिलित नहीं हुए
na cacāla tataḥ sthānān maināka iva parvataḥ |
Sañjaya said: He did not stir from his position—steadfast like Mount Maināka. Though surrounded on all sides on the battlefield and struck again and again, Bhīmasena endured the blows of weapons without yielding, embodying unshaken resolve amid war’s violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness under pressure: a warrior who holds his ground despite being surrounded and struck exemplifies endurance and resolve—qualities praised in the epic’s battlefield ethics.
Sañjaya describes a combat moment where the fighter remains unmoved from his position, compared to Mount Maināka, even as enemies close in and attack from all sides.