Mahabharata 9.55.206 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 55, Shloka 206
Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha
Verbal Duel and Omens
संयुगे च प्रकाशेते संरब्धाविव कुञ्जरी । कवच बाँधे हुए दोनों वीर भीमसेन और दुर्योधन युद्धभूमिमें कुपित हुए दो मतवाले हाथियोंके समान प्रकाशित हो रहे थे
saṃyuge ca prakāśete saṃrabdhāv iva kuñjarī | kavaca-baddhau ubhau vīrau bhīmasena-duryodhanau yuddha-bhūmau kupitau dvau mattāv iva hastinau prakāśete sma |
संजय बोले—युद्धभूमि में कवच बाँधे हुए वे दोनों महावीर, भीमसेन और दुर्योधन, कुपित हुए दो मतवाले हाथियों के समान प्रकाशित हो रहे थे।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how uncontrolled wrath and pride can make even great warriors resemble frenzied beasts—powerful yet driven by passion (krodha), which clouds discernment. It implicitly warns that martial brilliance without inner restraint accelerates destruction and obscures dharma.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma and Duryodhana on the battlefield, both armored and visibly prominent, raging as they prepare to clash. The simile of two intoxicated elephants underscores their ferocity and the inevitability of a decisive confrontation.
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