Shloka 27
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
प्रभिन्नाश्न महानागा विनीता हस्तिसादिभि: । परस्परं समासाद्य संनिपेतुरभीतवत्,जिनके मस्तकसे मदकी धारा बहती थी, ऐसे बड़े-बड़े गजराज गजारोहियोंद्वारा प्रेरित हो एक-दूसरेके पास पहुँचकर निर्भीक हो परस्पर भिड़ जाते थे
prabhinnāśnān mahānāgā vinītā hastisādibhiḥ | parasparaṃ samāsādya saṃnipetur abhītavat ||
Gajah-gajah agung, dengan cairan rut mengalir dari pelipisnya, didorong para penunggang dan pawang; mereka saling mendekat dan, tanpa gentar, bertubrukan dalam laga.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the intensification of war: immense power (the elephants) becomes an instrument of destruction when directed by human will. Ethically, it points to how conflict mobilizes and compels even non-human strength into violence, magnifying the consequences of martial ambition.
Sanjaya describes war-elephants in musth being urged on by their riders and handlers; they advance toward opposing elephants and collide fearlessly, engaging in close combat amid the larger battle.