Shloka 61
अजिशीर्षे प्रातःसंध्यायां संग्रामवर्णनम् / Dawn-Transition Battle at Ajiśīrṣa
Chapter 161
क्रुद्धयोर्वासिताहेतोर्वन्ययोर्गजयोरिव । जैसे दो जंगली हाथी किसी हथिनीके लिये क्रोधपूर्वक लड़ रहे हों, उसी प्रकार उस युद्धस्थलमें कर्ण और अर्जुनका वह संग्राम महान् एवं अद्भुत था ।। ततः पार्थों महेष्वासो दृष्टवा कर्णस्य विक्रमम्
sañjaya uvāca |
kruddhayor vāsitāhetor vanyayor gajayor iva |
tathā raṇe karṇa-arjunayoḥ sa saṅgrāmo mahān adbhuta eva ||
tataḥ pārtho maheṣvāso dṛṣṭvā karṇasya vikramam |
Bagaikan dua gajah liar yang murka, terdorong bertarung demi seekor gajah betina, demikianlah di medan itu pertempuran antara Karna dan Arjuna—agung dan menakjubkan. Lalu Pārtha, sang pemanah agung, melihat kegagahan Karna…
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how desire and rivalry can inflame even the strongest into destructive confrontation, using the image of wild elephants fighting over a mate. In the epic’s ethical frame, it underscores the peril of uncontrolled wrath (krodha) and the tragic grandeur of kṣatriya valor when driven by antagonism rather than restraint and dharma.
Sañjaya describes the duel between Karṇa and Arjuna as immense and astonishing, likening it to two wild elephants battling in fury. The verse then transitions: Arjuna, the great archer, observes Karṇa’s prowess, setting up Arjuna’s next response in the continuing combat.