Shloka 54
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
अड्कुशाड्गुछनुदित: स गजप्रवरो युधि । तस्मिन् क्षणे समभवत् सांवर्तक इवानल:,उस समय उनके अंकुशों और पैरके अँगूठोंसे प्रेरित हो वह गजराज युद्धस्थलमें संवर्तक- अग्निकी भाँति भयंकर हो उठा
aṅkuśāṅguṣṭha-nuditāḥ sa gaja-pravaro yudhi | tasmin kṣaṇe samabhavat sāṁvartaka ivānalaḥ ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Azuzado por el aguijón y por la presión de los dedos del jinete, aquel elefante, el más excelso, en medio de la batalla se volvió en ese mismo instante terrible—como el fuego Saṁvartaka que todo lo consume.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Immense strength becomes truly fearsome when directed by disciplined control; the verse highlights how guidance and stimulus can instantly convert latent power into overwhelming, potentially catastrophic force—an ethical reminder about responsibility in wielding power during war.
Sañjaya describes a leading war-elephant being driven forward by the mahout’s goad and toe-pressure; in that moment it surges into terrifying fury, compared to the Saṁvartaka fire that consumes the world at cosmic dissolution.