Shloka 36
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
तस्य वारणराजस्य जवेनापततो रथे । शल्यो निवारयामास वेगमप्रतिमं शरै:,वह गजराज बड़े वेगसे शल्यके रथकी ओर झपटा। उस समय शल्यने अपने बाणोंद्वारा उसके अप्रतिम वेगको रोक दिया
tasya vāraṇarājasya javena āpatato rathe | śalyo nivārayāmāsa vegam apratimaṃ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Lorsque ce roi des éléphants se rua vers le char de Śalya avec une vitesse et une force déferlantes, Śalya brida cet élan sans égal par des volées de flèches.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the midst of war, raw force is not enough; disciplined skill and presence of mind can restrain even an overwhelming charge. The verse highlights controlled response—meeting danger with trained action rather than fear.
A powerful war-elephant (vāraṇarāja) rushes toward Śalya’s chariot at great speed. Śalya counters by shooting arrows that halt or blunt the elephant’s momentum, preventing it from crashing into the chariot.