Shloka 58
Arjuna’s Advance toward Bhīṣma; The Gāṇḍīva’s Signal and the Armies’ Convergence (भीष्माभिमुखगमनम् — गाण्डीवनिर्घोष-ध्वजवर्णनम्)
त्रय एते महानागा राक्षस: समधिष्ठिता: । उसके पीछे अंजन, वामन और उत्तम कान्तिसे युक्त महापद्मय--से तीन दिग्गज और थे, जिनपर उसके साथी राक्षस सवार थे ।। ५७ ह ।। महाकायास्त्रिधा राजन् प्रस्रवन्तो मं बहु
traya ete mahānāgā rākṣasaḥ samadhiṣṭhitāḥ | (pṛṣṭhataḥ) añjana-vāmana-uttama-kānti-yuktā mahāpadma-yāḥ trayo diggajāś ca, yeṣu tasya sāthino rākṣasāḥ sārūḍhāḥ ||
Sanjaya said: “O King, behind him were three mighty elephants, each mounted by rākṣasas. They were named Añjana, Vāmana, and Mahāpadma—splendid in appearance and radiant with excellent luster—advancing as formidable war-elephants in the host.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
This verse is primarily descriptive rather than doctrinal: it underscores how war magnifies displays of power and intimidation. Ethically, it frames the battlefield as a realm where external might (armies, mounts, terrifying allies) is showcased, while the deeper question of dharma lies in how such power is used and for what cause.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra the sight of three formidable war-elephants—Añjana, Vāmana, and Mahāpadma—radiant and massive, with rākṣasa warriors mounted upon them, moving behind a leading figure in the army as part of the advancing host.