Shloka 55
अध्याय १४८ — कर्णप्रभावः, धृष्टद्युम्नस्य विरथता, तथा घटोत्कच-आह्वानम्
Chapter 148: Karṇa’s Pressure, Dhṛṣṭadyumna Unhorsed, and the Summoning of Ghaṭotkaca
सैन्धवस्तु तथा विद्ध: शरैगाण्डीवधन्वना । न चक्षमे सुसंक्रुद्धस्तोत्रार्दित इव द्विप:,गाण्डीवधारी अर्जुनके चलाये हुए बाणोंसे उस प्रकार घायल होनेपर सिंधुराज सहन न कर सका। वह अंकुशकी मार खाये हुए हाथीके समान अत्यन्त कुपित हो उठा
saindhavastu tathā viddhaḥ śaraiḥ gāṇḍīvadhanvanā | na cakṣame susaṃkruddhas totrārdita iva dvipaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Thus struck by the arrows of Arjuna, the wielder of the Gāṇḍīva, the king of Sindhu could not endure the pain. Enraged beyond measure, he rose in fury like an elephant tormented by the goad—showing how wounded pride and suffering in battle can inflame wrath and drive one toward further violence rather than restraint.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pain and humiliation in conflict can quickly turn into uncontrolled anger. Ethically, it warns that suffering does not automatically produce wisdom; without self-restraint, it can intensify retaliation and prolong harm.
Sañjaya narrates that Jayadratha (the Sindhu king) is struck by Arjuna’s arrows. Unable to bear the blows, he becomes fiercely enraged, compared to an elephant provoked by the sting of a goad.