Shloka 24
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
बलिनीौ युद्धसम्पन्नौ विद्यया च बलेन च । अन्योन्यमाह्दयन्तौ तु मत्ताविव महागजौ
balinau yuddhasampannau vidyayā ca balena ca | anyonyam āhvayantau tu mattāv iva mahāgajau ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Śalya et Bhīmasena, tous deux puissants et parfaitement instruits dans les arts de la guerre—par l’adresse martiale comme par la force nue—choisirent un autre lieu pour champ de bataille ; ils se défièrent l’un l’autre et combattirent tels deux éléphants seigneurs, ivres de fureur.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that excellence in knowledge, strength, and martial training can magnify the intensity of conflict when directed by rivalry; in a dharma-framed war, prowess must still be governed by restraint and right purpose, otherwise it becomes like the uncontrolled force of rutting elephants.
Vaiśampāyana describes Śalya and Bhīmasena shifting to another place as their battlefield and fiercely challenging each other, fighting with equal competence in war-craft, strength, and skill—likened to two intoxicated elephant-kings locked in combat.