Shloka 38
Adhyāya 33: Rauhiṇeya (Balarāma) is welcomed and takes his seat to witness the gadā-engagement
तदाह्वानममृष्यन् वै तव पुत्रो$तिवीर्यवान् । प्रत्युपस्थित एवाशु मत्तो मत्तमिव द्विपम्
tadāhvānam amṛṣyan vai tava putro 'tivīryavān | pratyupasthita evāśu matto mattam iva dvipam, mahārāja ||
संजय बोले—महाराज! उस ललकार को न सहकर आपका अत्यन्त पराक्रमी पुत्र तुरंत ही सामने आ खड़ा हुआ, जैसे मतवाला हाथी दूसरे मदोन्मत्त गजराज से भिड़ने दौड़ पड़े।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intolerance of insult and wounded pride can overpower restraint, pushing even a capable warrior into immediate confrontation. Ethically, it points to the danger of letting ego and rage dictate action, thereby accelerating violence in war.
Bhīma issues a forceful challenge; Duryodhana cannot bear it and promptly steps forward to face him. Sañjaya describes this rapid escalation with a vivid simile: one maddened elephant rushing to meet another.