तुरगा इव तत्रान्ये हस्तिहस्ता इवापरे | मत्ता इव च मातज्रा महाकाया महाबला:,कुछ सर्पोकी आकृति घोड़ोंके समान थी और कुछकी हाथीकी सूँड़के सदृश। कितने ही विशाल-काय महाबली नाग मतवाले गजराजोंको मात कर रहे थे
turagā iva tatrānye hastihastā ivāpare | mattā iva ca mātaṅgā mahākāyā mahābalāḥ ||
Janamejaya said: “There, some of those serpents were shaped like horses, while others resembled the trunks of elephants. Many were vast in body and mighty in strength—like intoxicated lordly elephants—overpowering even other great beasts by their sheer force.”
जनमेजय उवाच
The verse primarily heightens awe through vivid similes, reminding the listener that the world of the Mahābhārata includes beings of extraordinary forms and powers; it encourages humility and careful inquiry when confronting the unknown.
Janamejaya describes the astonishing variety and immense strength of serpents (nāgas) seen there—some horse-like, some resembling elephant trunks, and many huge and powerful like rut-maddened royal elephants.