Shloka 24
Bhūriśravas–Sātyaki Saṃvāda and Duel; Arjuna’s Intervention (भूरिश्रवाः–सात्यकि संवादः, युद्धम्, अर्जुन-हस्तक्षेपः)
वज्राशनिसमस्पर्शर्वध्यमाना: शरैर्गजा: । प्राद्रवन् रणमुत्सूज्य शिनिवीरसमीरितै:
vajrāśani-sama-sparśair vadhyamānāḥ śarair gajāḥ | prādravan raṇam utsṛjya śinivīra-samīritaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Struck by arrows whose touch was like a thunderbolt, the elephants—being grievously wounded—broke into flight, abandoning the battlefield, driven into panic by the assault of Śinivīra’s warrior.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the overwhelming force of skilled warfare and its psychological consequences: even mighty war-elephants, symbols of power and stability, can be driven to panic and abandon duty when struck by irresistible violence. It underscores how fear and shock can collapse martial order, reminding readers that strength without steadiness of mind is fragile in crisis.
Sañjaya reports that elephants on the battlefield are being hit by arrows whose impact feels like thunderbolts. Wounded and terrified, they flee, leaving the fight behind, compelled by the fierce attack associated with Śinivīra’s warrior.