Shloka 6
विराटसभायां पाण्डवानां प्रवेशः — Arjuna’s Encomium of Yudhiṣṭhira in Virāṭa’s Court
ततः प्रभिन्नेन महागजेन महीधराभेन पुनर्विकर्ण: । रथैश्नतुर्भिर्गजपादरक्षै: कुन्तीसुतं जिष्णुमथा भ्यधावत्
tataḥ prabhinnena mahāgajena mahīdharābhena punar vikarṇaḥ | rathaiś caturbhir gajapāda-rakṣaiḥ kuntīsutaṁ jiṣṇum athābhyadhāvat ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Alors Vikarṇa, remontant une fois encore un éléphant gigantesque tel une montagne, les tempes ruisselantes de rut, chargea contre Arjuna—le victorieux fils de Kuntī, nommé Jiṣṇu. Avec lui venaient quatre guerriers sur chars, postés en gardes pour protéger les quatre pieds de l’éléphant, révélant la discipline calculée et la violence coordonnée de la bataille jusque dans la rivalité personnelle.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the organized, duty-bound nature of kṣatriya warfare: even a single charge is supported by coordinated protection (guards for the elephant’s feet). It implicitly contrasts disciplined martial conduct with mere reckless aggression.
Vikarṇa mounts a massive rutting elephant and charges at Arjuna (Jiṣṇu), accompanied by four chariot-warriors assigned to protect the elephant’s legs, indicating a planned assault formation.