Shloka 35
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ९६: सौभद्रस्य आक्रमणम्, अलम्बुसस्य प्रतिविधानम्
Abhimanyu’s assault; Alambusa’s counter-engagement
केचिद् भिन्ना विषाणाग्रै्िन्नकुम्भाश्न तोमरै: । विनदन्तो<5 भ्यधावन्त गर्जमाना घना इव,कितने ही हाथी दाँतोंके अग्रभागसे विदीर्ण हो रहे थे। कितनोंके कुम्भस्थल तोमरोंकी मारसे फट गये थे और वे गर्जते हुए बादलोंके समान चीत्कार करते हुए इधर-उधर भाग रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca | kecid bhinnā viṣāṇāgrair bhinnakumbhāś ca tomaraiḥ | vinadanto 'bhyadhāvanta garjamānā ghanā iva ||
Sebagian gajah ujung gadingnya pecah; sebagian lagi pelipisnya terbelah oleh hantaman tombak. Sambil meraung dan melengking keras, mereka berlarian kacau, menggelegar laksana awan badai.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh reality of war: even mighty creatures like war-elephants are reduced to terror and pain. It implicitly cautions that violence spreads suffering beyond the primary combatants, revealing the ethical cost of battle.
Sañjaya describes battlefield chaos among elephants: some have tusk-tips broken, others have their temple-regions split by spears; they cry out and run about, roaring like thunderclouds.