Shloka 46
Adhyāya 65: Dawn Assembly, Makara–Śyena Vyūhas, and Commander Engagements
मागधो5थ महीपालो गजमैरावणोपमम् । प्रेषयामास समरे सौभद्रस्य रथं प्रति,इसी समय मगधदेशीय भूपालने युद्धस्थलमें अभिमन्युके रथकी ओर ऐरावतके समान एक विशाल हाथीको प्रेरित किया
māgadho 'tha mahīpālo gajam airāvaṇopamam | preṣayāmāsa samare saubhadrasya rathaṃ prati ||
Sañjaya said: Then the king from Magadha, in the midst of battle, sent forward a huge elephant—comparable to Airāvata—charging toward the chariot of Saubhadra (Abhimanyu). The scene underscores how, in war, power and intimidation are deployed to overwhelm a lone hero by sheer force rather than by equal contest.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical tension in the Mahābhārata: warfare often turns on intimidation and massed force rather than fair, equal engagement. It invites reflection on how power can be used to pressure a single opponent and how such tactics test the ideals of kṣatriya conduct.
Sañjaya reports that a Magadhan king dispatches a massive elephant, likened to Indra’s Airāvata, to rush toward Abhimanyu’s chariot. It is a tactical move to threaten or break the chariot-warrior by deploying an overwhelming beast in close combat.