Shloka 21
Adhyāya 17 — गजयुद्ध-वृत्तान्तः, सहदेव-दुःशासन-संघर्षः, नकुल-कर्ण-समागमः
Elephant-battle account; Sahadeva–Duhshasana clash; Nakula–Karna encounter
ततोडपरे तत्प्रतिमा गजोत्तमा जिगीषव: संयति सव्यसाचिना । तथा कृतास्ते च यथैव तौ द्विपौ ततः प्रभग्नं सुमहद्रिपोर्बलम्
tato 'pare tatpratimā gajottamā jigīṣavaḥ saṃyati savyasācinā | tathā kṛtās te ca yathaiva tau dvipau tato prabhagnaṃ sumahad ripor balam ||
Sañjaya dit : Alors d’autres éléphants d’élite, égaux en puissance, s’avancèrent au combat avec le désir de vaincre. Arjuna, le Savyasācī, les réduisit au même état que celui où il avait mis les deux éléphants mentionnés plus haut. Dès lors, une grande déroute éclata dans l’immense armée ennemie.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how disciplined mastery (Arjuna’s focused archery) can neutralize even the most intimidating instruments of war (elephants), and how victory in battle depends not only on strength but on skill, composure, and the collapse or steadiness of morale.
After two elephants have already been dealt with, more elite elephants charge forward seeking victory. Arjuna defeats them in the same manner, and this triggers a widespread panic and rout in the enemy’s large army.