Shloka 33
कर्णस्य दानप्रतिज्ञा–शल्योपदेश–वाक्ययुद्धम्
Karna’s Gift-Vows, Shalya’s Counsel, and the Battle of Words
सहसा सादिनस्तत्र तोमरेण महामृधे । भूमावमृदनन् वेगेन सरचर्माणं पदातिनम्,उस महासमरमें कितने ही हाथीसवार सहसा तोमरका प्रहार करके ढालसहित पैदल योद्धाको गिराकर उसे वेगपूर्वक धरतीपर रौंद डालते थे
sahasā sādinas tatra tomareṇa mahāmṛdhe | bhūmāv amṛdnann vegeṇa saracarmāṇaṃ padātinam ||
Sañjaya dit : Dans cette grande mêlée, les cavaliers d’éléphant frappaient soudain de leur tomara ; ils abattaient un fantassin avec son bouclier et, d’un élan rapide, le piétinaient jusqu’à l’enfoncer dans la terre.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of war: once battle is fully engaged, power and speed often eclipse restraint. It invites reflection on dharma in conflict—how quickly humaneness can be overridden by the mechanics of victory and survival.
Sañjaya describes a battlefield moment where elephant-mounted warriors suddenly hurl tomara-javelins, knock down an infantryman still holding his shield, and then trample him forcefully on the ground.