Shloka 29
Bhūriśravas–Sātyaki Saṃvāda and Duel; Arjuna’s Intervention (भूरिश्रवाः–सात्यकि संवादः, युद्धम्, अर्जुन-हस्तक्षेपः)
बभ्रमुश्न स्खलुश्नान्ये पेतुर्मम्लुस्तथापरे । एवं तत् कुञ्जरानीकं युयुधानेन पीडितम्
babhramuś ca skhaluś cānye petur mamluś tathāpare | evaṃ tat kuñjarānīkaṃ yuyudhānena pīḍitam ||
Sañjaya said: Some elephants reeled in confusion and stumbled; others fell down, and still others sank and collapsed. Thus that elephant-corps was grievously harried by Yuyudhāna—an image of how, in war, even the mightiest formations break when struck by steadfast valor and disciplined resolve.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of even formidable power in the face of determined, skillful action: in war, strength without stability and coordination collapses. Ethically, it also hints at the heavy cost of violence—mass suffering and disarray—inviting reflection on the consequences that follow from choosing battle.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) is crushing an elephant formation: some elephants stagger and stumble, some fall, and others collapse, showing the elephant-corps being severely battered.