Shloka 5
अर्जुनस्य प्रतिघातः — श्रुताय्वच्युतायुवधः तथा गजसैन्यविदारणम्
Arjuna’s Counterstroke: Slaying of Śrutāyu and Acyutāyu; Breaking the Elephant Corps
महिषानप्यतिबलो बलिनो विचकर्ष ह । सिंहानां च सुदृप्तानां शतान्याकर्षयद् बलात्,भरतका बल असीम था। वे बलवान भैंसों और सौ-सौ गर्वीले सिंहोंको भी बलपूर्वक घसीट लाते थे
mahiṣān apy atibalo balino vicakarṣa ha | siṁhānāṁ ca sudṛptānāṁ śatāny ākarṣayad balāt |
Nārada dit : Sa puissance était sans mesure. Par la seule force, il traînait même des buffles vigoureux, et pouvait encore attirer de force des centaines de lions orgueilleux, ivres de fureur. Cette parole souligne une vigueur extraordinaire, presque surhumaine, telle que l’épopée guerrière la déploie pour marquer un être redoutable.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses hyperbolic imagery to convey overwhelming strength, reminding readers that in the Mahābhārata’s war setting, power can inspire awe and fear and becomes a decisive factor that complicates dharma—since immense force, if unchecked by restraint and right purpose, can magnify harm.
Nārada is describing a person of extraordinary physical might, emphasizing that he could forcibly drag even strong buffaloes and hundreds of proud lions—an epic-style characterization meant to establish the figure’s formidable nature within the unfolding war narrative.