Shloka 5
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
ततः कर्णमुखानू् दृष्ट्वा क्षत्रियान् युद्धदुर्मदान् । सम्पेततुरभीतौ तौ गजौ प्रतिगजानिव,तदनन्तर कर्ण आदि रणोन्मत्त क्षत्रियोंको आते देख वे दोनों भाई निर्भय हो उनपर उसी तरह टूट पड़े, जैसे दो (मतवाले) हाथी अपने विपक्षी हाथियोंकी ओर बढ़े जा रहे हों
tataḥ karṇamukhān dṛṣṭvā kṣatriyān yuddha-durmadān | sampetatū rabhītau tau gajau pratigajān iva ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then, seeing the Kṣatriya warriors—led by Karṇa—made arrogant by the frenzy of battle, the two brothers, fearless, rushed upon them, like two rut-maddened elephants charging against opposing elephants. The scene underscores the warrior code of confronting danger without retreat, even as it hints at how pride and intoxication with war can drive men toward ruin.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights Kṣatriya-dharma as fearless confrontation in battle, while also warning that war can breed durmada—reckless pride or intoxication—which ethically clouds judgment and hastens destruction.
Karṇa and other battle-frenzied Kṣatriyas advance; in response, two brothers charge at them without fear, compared to two powerful elephants rushing against rival elephants.