Shloka 10
Bhīmasena’s Kalinga Engagement and the Approach of Bhīṣma (भीमसेन-कालिङ्ग-संग्रामः)
प्रभिन्नैरपि संसक्ता: केचित् तत्र महागजा: । क्रौज्चवन्निनदं कृत्वा दुद्रुवु: सर्वतो दिशम्,कुछ महान् गजराज मदस्रावी हाथियोंसे टक्कर लेकर क्रौंच पक्षीकी भाँति चीत्कार करते हुए सब दिशाओंमें भाग गये
prabhinnair api saṁsaktāḥ kecit tatra mahāgajāḥ | krauñcavan ninadaṁ kṛtvā dudruvuḥ sarvato diśam ||
Sebagian gajah besar di sana, meski terlibat bentrokan dengan gajah-gajah yang sedang musth, mengeluarkan jerit seperti burung krauñca lalu lari tercerai-berai ke segala arah.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the instability of worldly strength: even ‘great’ forces can collapse under pressure. In ethical terms, it cautions against pride in power and shows how fear can disrupt discipline and duty amid conflict.
Sañjaya describes battlefield chaos: some massive elephants, despite being in musth and engaged in clashes, cry out loudly (likened to the krauñca bird) and then scatter, fleeing in all directions.