Shloka 55

Śālva’s Elephant Assault and the Counterstroke (शाल्वस्य नागारूढाभ्यवहारः)

Devanagari script

ते सर्व तावकान्‌ दृष्टवा महेष्वासा: पराड्मुखान्‌

Transliteration

te sarve tāvakān dṛṣṭvā maheṣvāsāḥ parāṅmukhān

Translation

Sañjaya said: Seeing all your warriors turning away—those famed as great archers—the moment revealed a collapse of resolve in the Kaurava host, when prowess without steadiness of purpose falters amid the moral and psychological pressures of war.

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• तावकान्: your men / your side's warriors
• तावकान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: तावक
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral), Non-finite

• महेष्वासाः: great bowmen
• महेष्वासाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेष्वास
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• पराङ्मुखान्: turned away; facing away
• पराङ्मुखान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पराङ्मुख
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• tāvakāḥ (Kaurava warriors)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even renowned skill (being “great archers”) can fail when inner resolve and righteous clarity collapse; in war, ethical strain and fear can overturn reputation, showing the need for steadiness, discipline, and responsible leadership.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that the Kaurava warriors—despite being celebrated bowmen—are seen turning away from the fight, indicating retreat or loss of fighting spirit at a critical moment in the battle.