Shloka 10
विराटसभायां पाण्डवानां प्रवेशः — Arjuna’s Encomium of Yudhiṣṭhira in Virāṭa’s Court
निपातिते दन्तिवरे पृथिव्यां त्रासाद् विकर्ण: सहसावतीर्य । तूर्ण पदान्यष्टशतानि गत्वा विविंशते: स्यन्दनममारुरोह
nipātite dantivare pṛthivyāṃ trāsād vikarṇaḥ sahasāvatīrya | tūrṇaṃ padāny aṣṭaśatāni gatvā viviṃśateḥ syandanam amāruroha ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Lorsque le puissant éléphant eut été abattu sur la terre, Vikarṇa, saisi d’effroi, sauta aussitôt à bas. Se hâtant, il parcourut huit cents pas puis monta sur le char de Viviṃśati. L’épisode montre comment les renversements soudains du combat éprouvent la fermeté de l’esprit : la peur peut pousser même un guerrier à chercher sur-le-champ un refuge, passant de l’action solitaire à l’appui protecteur d’un allié.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological reality of battle: when circumstances abruptly turn—here, the fall of a powerful elephant—fear can overwhelm composure, prompting retreat and dependence on comrades. It invites reflection on steadiness (dhairya) and the ethical ideal of self-control under pressure.
After a great elephant is knocked down, Vikarṇa becomes frightened, jumps down, runs about eight hundred paces, and then climbs onto Viviṃśati’s chariot, seeking safety and support amid the ongoing combat.