Shloka 24
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
बलिनीौ युद्धसम्पन्नौ विद्यया च बलेन च । अन्योन्यमाह्दयन्तौ तु मत्ताविव महागजौ
balinau yuddhasampannau vidyayā ca balena ca | anyonyam āhvayantau tu mattāv iva mahāgajau ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: Perkasa dan terlatih sempurna dalam seni perang—baik dalam ketangkasan bertempur maupun kekuatan raga—Śalya dan Bhīmasena menjadikan tempat lain sebagai gelanggang laga. Saling menantang, keduanya bertarung bagaikan dua gajah raja yang mabuk amuk. Demikianlah, di medan perang yang terikat dharma, kepahlawanan yang tersulut persaingan kian menajamkan pertikaian.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that excellence in knowledge, strength, and martial training can magnify the intensity of conflict when directed by rivalry; in a dharma-framed war, prowess must still be governed by restraint and right purpose, otherwise it becomes like the uncontrolled force of rutting elephants.
Vaiśampāyana describes Śalya and Bhīmasena shifting to another place as their battlefield and fiercely challenging each other, fighting with equal competence in war-craft, strength, and skill—likened to two intoxicated elephant-kings locked in combat.