Shloka 28
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
मदान्धा रोषसंरब्धा विषाणाग्रैर्महाहवे । बिभिदुर्दन्तमुसलै: समासाद्य परस्परम्,उस महायुद्धमें रोषपूर्ण मदान्ध हाथी अपने दाँतोंके अग्रभागसे अथवा दाँतरूपी मूसलोंसे परस्पर भिड़कर एक-दूसरेको विदीर्ण करने लगे
sañjaya uvāca |
madāndhā roṣasaṃrabdhā viṣāṇāgrair mahāhave |
bibhidur dantamusalaiḥ samāsādya parasparam ||
Sañjaya said: In that great battle, elephants—blinded by rut and driven on by wrath—closed upon one another and, meeting head-on, tore each other apart with the tips of their tusks, like clubs. The scene underscores how unchecked rage and intoxication in war turn living strength into mutual destruction.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral danger of mada (intoxication/frenzy) and roṣa (anger): when these dominate, even great power becomes self-destructive, producing mutual harm rather than purposeful action.
Sañjaya describes a battlefield moment where enraged, musth-driven elephants charge and clash at close quarters, ripping and splitting each other with their tusks, which are compared to heavy clubs.